Library Assignment

Library observed: Branner Earth Sciences Library

Time of observation: Wed 4.30-5.30pm

Observation Notes:

• A haven for map lovers!
• Not many visitors (<6) during that time
• 1 was using the GIS workstation, the others looking for resources, 1 doing some reading
• Not all were students, there were 2 senior visitors as well
• Could be due to time as well as small student population in Earth Science
• Some interesting facilities/features:
  • Library is located on second floor of building, you go up via a spiral staircase
  • Glass exhibits surround the spiral staircase; showcasing different types of geological rocks and formations which was really cool
  • A map corner with specially designed V-shaped tables for spreading and reading the maps (see picture) shelved nearby in flat cases
  • A GIS corner equipped with 4 GIS workstations and a huge plotter
  • A magazine corner
• Two librarians manning the counter which is overstocked with stuff
• No one approached them for assistance during the observation
• Most people seem to come here either to use the GIS workstation or to look for a specific resource; only one was seen using the coziest corner in the library to read/study
• Most of them came, found their stuff and left (entire visit < 30 min)
• Shelves of magazines, books and maps take up most of the space
• There is a third level for map collections; drawers of maps and interesting globes

Reflection:

• This library serves primarily as a repository of resources; providing spaces for learning is not a primary objective
• Since this library serves a very specific niche of information (i.e. earth sciences, primarily maps, atlases and GIS datasets), I thought they could perform a useful role in providing mapping expertise and consultancy to visitors
• For example, people who need geographic information related to specific areas (e.g. economic, social sciences, historical, physical features etc) may not know which are the most useful and accurate maps to reference. The librarians could serve as a consultant in this aspect. The role could also be extended to providing technical services or advices on doing digital mapping, using internet mapping tools etc.
• This library seems to have been around for a while, and it has probably outgrown the original collections it was planned to house. They need a bigger space.
• It would be great if there are separate levels serving different functions: one for consultancy, staffed with mapping/GIS experts; one for self-help equipped with the most commonly referenced maps/atlases and finally, one (or several) as storage facility for the less commonly used or the rare collections where they're accessible only by special request.
• The exhibits of geological rocks and the few huge globes could also be better utilized in a new space. Libraries of information of such nature can be designed to make visitors feel awed and inspired by the diversity and richness of the world - e.g. by hanging interesting world maps around the space, showcasing the geological rocks exhibits (which they did) - and make them feel curious and want to learn more about Earth.
• Could have a space for seasonal exhibitions of selected themes: e.g. historical maps of colonial America, Iraq and the middle east, China and America etc.

Roles of Libraries:

1. Support for research

People are increasingly using the Internet as their first (and often only) source of information. Branner serves a particular niche but with the proliferation of free and increasingly more powerful Internet mapping tools and open geographic datasets, libraries in general, need to redefine their roles in terms of the services they can provide to users. How can libraries support users in their projects or research when users nowadays increasingly turn to Google first to look for the relevant literature or resources?

Some ideas that came to my mind: access to institutional archives or databases. Some of these are still only accessible to institutions like universities; users can only retrieve them at workstations located in the libraries. But I think it is only a matter of time before these repositories are made available to everyone over the Internet. Because users will increasingly use only the literature that is readily available to them, such restricted, privileged access would only make these repositories less 'usable' and referenced. So this is not a sustainable, long-term service that libraries can bank on.

Another idea is as an information retrieval expert. How to get an article in the quickest time possible. This requires expertise and familiarity with the various electronic databases and search techniques. This could be extended to providing advices on all the existing, up-to-date resources relevant to the users' research, as well as the information in rare books, microfiches, manuscripts etc.

2. Support for learning

Based on my own personal observation of the libraries I visited in Stanford: they seem to do a better job in terms of providing material/equipment access (e.g. Meyer second floor, media equipment/resources), services (e.g. Green interlibrary loans) or resources not easily available independently (e.g. Branner's GIS datasets) than on facilitating students' learning. There are not many good spaces for learning - individual or group - in most of the libraries I visited here. There are some terrible ones: Meyer lobby and 2nd floor for example; every time I go there I feel so uncomfortable because everybody there seems to be so stressed. And the colors and tables don't help. Cubberly feels antique and gloomy (and stuffy on a warm day); and the chairs often gave me backaches.

I think libraries make a powerful impression on visitors (and students) on the kind of institution they represent, and the nature of the learning and teaching that takes place in it. Libraries have an impact of what people do when they are in it, how they feel. The most productive group discussions I had here was in my fellow groupmates' dorms - they're cozy, warm, comfortable and inviting, and with food and drinks allowed. There is no reason why our libraries can't be like that. The traditional, grand, awe-inspiring architecture can coexist with a new shift and focus of library space as a learning commons (and not merely as repositories of authoritative knowledge) where there are quiet, individual corners for reflection as well as public spaces for collaboration and socializing (and coffee).

Dan GilbertYeong Haur, this is great work, interesting reflections and nice attention to details. Your suggestions are solid. I think your last point is especially powerful how this library seems to do a great job in terms of providing material and stuff and less focused on user. This is a distinc difference from some of the points in the articles we read this week that were focused on either publishers' or users' point of view. These are more like artifacts, and like you I was inspired when I sae all of those amazing rocks, globes, and maps. Great work here.