Legal Research

Are we shelving users like books?

I like this article from The Chronicle:

Rebooted Computer Labs Offer Savings for Campuses and Ambiance for Students
New gathering places for laptop users help colleges save on upkeep

I worry that those rows and rows of public access PC's are:

1. Dehumanizing
2. Needed
3. Treating patrons like boks and shelving them in carrell type slots
4. Preparing learners for life in a cubicle

Anyway, this article discusses other options and environments. It also addresses what things should look like when people bring their own laptops and smartphones.

Theres no right answer but libraries should be welcoming and pleasant places. Too many of our PC Lab installations are boring and pedestrian and, frankly, Soviet.

Time to rethink as things transform.

Stephen

Full post as published by Stephen's Lighthouse on December 23, 2009 (boomark / email).