From “Library as Place” to “Library as Platform”: Redesigning the 21st Century Academic Library

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter provides an overview of the space reimagining that has occurred in a mid-size library that serves both the life and social sciences at a large research university. Projects are introduced that have transformed physical and virtual spaces from preprogrammed areas and services designed to serve librarian-defined needs to an open and flexible architecture that better incorporates and facilitates the projects, ideas, and interest-driven learning initiated by users. As we move from “library as place” to “library as platform” (Bennett, 2003; Weinberger, 2012), the library becomes a central location for users to connect with and learn from one another, create and remix, display and discuss their work, and capture and preserve community knowledge.

Methodology/approach

The authors examine various initiatives in the library to demonstrate the role of library space. Each initiative is framed as a case study to illustrate how librarians have responded to user needs and the impact that these changes have had on management in libraries.

Findings

The change in focus to “library as platform” requires flexible and flat library management, additional staff roles, and changing paradigms of library space and skills.

Originality/value

This chapter adds to the body of case studies examining what the library of the future could look like in practice as well as theory.

Citation

Andrews, C., Downs, A., Morris-Knower, J., Pacion, K. and Wright, S.E. (2016), "From “Library as Place” to “Library as Platform”: Redesigning the 21st Century Academic Library", The Future of Library Space (Advances in Library Administration and Organization, Vol. 36), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 145-167. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-067120160000036006