What makes a successful public library?An investigation into the qualities and features that

make libraries great

2012 Kay Poustie OAM Travel Scholarship

Kirstie Nicholson

• Incongruity between statements that the book’s days are numbered and the reality that circulation of physical books remains a library’s core business.

• The conflict between reports of the decline of public libraries and the continued investment in huge new statement library buildings.

• The priority of technology for libraries.

Libraries

The Netherlands Amsterdam Public Library (OBA)DOK Library Concept Centre in

Delft

Denmark Copenhagen Main LibraryCopenhagen University & Royal

Library

Sweden Malmö Library

United Kingdom Tower Hamlets’ Idea StoresBritish LibraryCardiff Central LibraryManchester Central LibraryLiverpool Central Library

Children’s Library, OBA

Copenhagen Main Library

Ariadni Thread, http://flic.kr/p/dq46w4 ; Retrieved 21/1/13.

DOK

DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUfny ; Retrieved 3/1/13.

The Romance Room, DOK

DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUmeG ; Retrieved 3/1/13.

Black Diamond, Copenhagen

VisitCopenhagen, http://flic.kr/p/85NNeW ; Retrieved 7/2/13

Cardiff Central Library

Bookmouse, http://flic.kr/p/azWRwP ; Retrieved 18/2/13.

Idea Store Whitechapel

Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/4aEoY3 ; Retrieved 21/1/13.

Idea Store Bow

Idea Store, Idea Store Bow, http://flic.kr/p/9isX3B ; Retrieved 21/1/13

OBA

Malmö Library

Black Diamond, Copenhagen

DOK Library Concept Centre, Delft

DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AQcN8 ; Retrieved 3/12/12.

DOKDOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUrvL ; Retrieved 3/1/13.

Write Idea Festival event, Idea Store Whitechapel

Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/dvp2j5 ; Retrieved 21/1/13

Copenhagen Main Library

Art Library, DOK

L: DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AQ8VF ; Retrieved 3/1/13

R: Sarah Houghton, http://flic.kr/p/9Zdw13 ; Retrieved 7/2/13

Idea Store Whitechapel

Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/9iw5zo ; Retrieved 21/1/13

Directional signage at DOK

Malmö Library’s Calendar of Light

Malmö Library’s Calendar of Light

The library for 9-12 year olds, Balagan, at Malmö Library

Entrance to Balagan Part of Balagan

The Rotunda & Information Desk at OBA

Non Fiction Shelves, DOK

Manchester Central Library RestorationDue to re-open 2014

Manchester City Council, http://flic.kr/p/a2FgRY ; Retrieved 1/3/13

Liverpool Central Library RestorationDue to re-open May 2013

Liverpool City Council, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-20972053 ; Retrieved 1/3/13

One Focus

•Liverpool: Understand your local population and make the service relevant to the local community, seek partnerships and identify priorities.•Manchester: Improving literacy. This improves life skills and opportunities.•Cardiff: Stock – all surveys highlight that people want new books and of a good breadth; outreach programmes. •Idea Stores: The place and physical space. Even in an era of digital content you need a place which people visit and own. There is very little space which is non-commercial – if you have no money, then where do you go?•Malmö: Flexibility of the physical space – wheels on everything, electricity points everywhere.•Copenhagen: Supporting reading skills and guiding people towards quality reading material  •OBA: Good opening hours.•DOK: A local focus. Local information – people won’t find this on global online vendors. It’s good to work with other local services. Anything that is not local you should do with other libraries. 

Qualities

• A focus on the library building and recognition of the importance of an attractive building that people want to spend time in.

• A focus on a full events programme.• A holistic approach to people’s needs within the library space.• A wish for customers to see the space as relaxed and personal and

an effort to humanise staff.• A desire to evoke their visitor’s imagination and creativity and to

create a place of inspiration.• A desire for greater accessibility through opening hours.• The use of art.• A willingness to work in partnership, most often with events, but also

for funding initiatives and the building of new libraries.• Planning and action.

10 Actions

• Provide wi-fi.• Integrate art into your building and events.• Define your customer approach and know what experience you

want your patrons to have when they visit.• The location of the library is important. Know your preference for

the location of your building and document it if possible.• Have broad opening hours and plans to further widen them. Seven

day a week opening at your central branch, and overall making opening hours consistent.

• A sustainable and dynamic events programme.• Plan, have goals and have the ability to articulate your approach.• Make the library space attractive and of high quality and plan for

periodic renewal of the environment.• Provide good quality food and drink options.• Make better use of the knowledge your staff already have.

Thank you

• Applications for 2013 Scholarship now open

• Make a donation

• Contact details• Kirstie Nicholson• Resources Librarian, City of Armadale• 9399 0135• knicholson@armadale.wa.gov.au