The Library of the Future

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, possibly in five or six years, we may remodel the Main Library in Martinsville.  While it seems like a long time away, it's not too early to start thinking about the future and how we can make the library ready for it. 

Library professionals talk a lot about what the library of the future will look like.  Some say that libraries will become a place where people come to create content, not just borrow content that someone else created.  Others say that books will be obsolete and we'll only offer electronic versions (In fact, there's already a bookless library in San Antonio, Texas!).  Still another group thinks that libraries will become a 'third space' where people come to gather, relax and just hang out. 

I think there are two things to keep in mind when we make plans for a future library - Community and Flexibility.  First, our purpose is to serve Martinsville and the surrounding county, and we need to keep the needs of our patrons foremost in our minds.  Secondly, our spaces need to be flexible enough that we can adapt them as the community's needs change. 

If I were to redesign the library today, these are the things I'd like to have: 

• A secure, climate controlled area for keeping genealogy, local history and archival materials safe and properly preserved.
• Group meeting spaces of all sizes. We should be able to accommodate groups of any size from 2 to 200.  The small group spaces should have adequate technology, too, so people could Skype, show a presentation, watch a video or practice a foreign language.  There should be a space large enough to have an auditorium-style presentation, but it should have dividers so it could house smaller meetings as well.
• A dedicated area for kids' programs complete with kid-sized furniture and easily cleaned floors and lots of storage for craft materials.
• A family restroom in the children's' area.
• A dedicated area for Teens where they could get loud if they wanted to.  It should have computers just for teens, as well as other up to date technology like game consoles.
• Shelving that is easily moved and reconfigured, perhaps having shelving units on wheels.  
• Lots and lots of electrical outlets so that people could plug in their laptops or tablets wherever they needed to.
• A single entrance and exit with a just one check out desk located right next to it. 

 These are a few of my ideas. What would YOU like to see if you could remodel the Library?

Krista Ledbetter, Director