[Publib] advice for an architecture student

[Kevin Okelly]

Publibbers:

I am advising an architecture student who is designing a library for her 
senior project. I thought I would solicit any thoughts provoked by this 
query of hers:

"One issue I am dealing with is the circulation desk. I know that it is 
important for the circulation desk to be central and have sightlines to 
as many areas of the library as possible. I understand that there are 
generally very few librarians and staff working at any one time and 
therefore a central desk is crucial. My question is, how does a multi 
story library work? My assumption is that  a multi-story library 
requires security and more staffing, but I guess I would like to know 
your thoughts on what the benefits and obstacles are when the library 
staff cannot see all the users at once."

Frankly, I don't know of any library that operates on the panopticon 
principle. I've only worked in multi-story libraries and the circulation 
desk is generally right by the exit and it is the reference desk that is 
central. All I can think to tell her just seems really obvious. Do those 
of you have worked in a variety of buildings have any unusual insights 
to share?

Thansk,

Kevin


Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000


-----Original Message-----
From: "Hopkins County - Madisonville Public Library" <library at vci.net>
To: <publib at webjunction.org>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:48:04 -0500
Subject: RE: [Publib] Roving computer classes with laptops

> We have been doing this for nearly 18 months. We also take our lab out
> to
> the local senior center to do classes. We tend to just run all of our
> laptops off of electrical outlets as there is no space where the
> systems are
> kept to keep them on charge, and so far no problems with doing that. I
> have
> been able to take the lab up to our own meeting area to teach so that
> the
> main lab isn't tied up, and I am hoping to do classes with our
> bookmobile as
> that has a satellite internet connection that we can use. 
> 
> When the lab is not being used for teaching we run a laptop lending
> scheme.
> Patrons with library cards in good standing & over 18 give us their
> photo ID
> & library card in exchange for a laptop with a 2 hour session. We have
> a
> policy that must be adhered to, and in the time that we have been
> running
> this scheme (almost 2 years) we have had no breakage or theft. We have
> also
> expanded this to the branch library (thank to Wal-Mart for having cheap
> systems on sale!!).
> 
> Terry Caudle
> Hopkins County - Madisonville Public Library
> library at vci.net
> www.publiclibrary.org
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
> On Behalf Of jlohmann at co.durham.nc.us
> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 10:51 AM
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Publib] Roving computer classes with laptops
> 
> 
> Another question for the publibbers,
> 
> We will be getting 10 laptops to use as a "roving computer class." 
> This
> will allow us to offer offsite computer classes and computer classes at
> our smaller branches which have a meeting room, but limited public
> computer space.  Have other libraries tried this?  If so, what
> procedures did you put in place to make sure the computers always had
> full battery power, all their bits, etc.  Do you have any advice for
> implementing this type of movable computer lab?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jennifer
> 
> 
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