What is a "library" as infrastructure that can not only read books for free?

By* CliNKer *

If you go to the library you can read a lot of books for free and you can also borrow. Although it is a familiar public facility that can do reading, studying, investigating things etc, there are cafeterias in the library, exhibitions of art works are held, seminars are held at lecture halls etc. Other than books It is sometimes used for the purpose. Cases around the world where such a library plays a role as infrastructure in the community and the direction for the future development of libraries are summarized.

Library as Infrastructure
https://placesjournal.org/article/library-as-infrastructure/

I am an American library scholarMelville DeweyMr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Takahashi said that the book classification method "Dewey decimal classification methodIt is known as the inventor of. Mr. Dewy in 1876,American Library AssociationWe also support the establishment of.

At that time, Mr. Dewey, who was still slightly 24 years old, launched a company "Library Bureau" which sells tools for display and storage of library supplies, furnishings and collections, tools used for loan management It was. The Library Bureau catalog defines "library" as "machine for social and moral improvement and enlightenment", and it was thought that it was a place for public education and public works projects. Mr. Dewey later became a Colombian college librarian and is known as a person who has deeply contributed to the development of the library, including the establishment of "the School of Library Economy", the first library school in the United States.


Like Mr. Dewey, the idea about the way of facilities called "library" is discussed among the world's experts, and various opinions have been issued up to the present age. A number of opinions on such a library are summarized by Associate Professor Shannon Matan of the Media Course of the University of Newschool with his own view.

◆ Library as a platform

ByQuasi-builder's card network Forgemind ArchiMedia

For more than 1000 years, libraries are collecting materials, but the format of materials continues to change, with scrolls in booklets, records on CDs, e-books and electronic databases on public datasets. With that change the library itself has also changed, and in recent years Mattan wrote that it is taking the form of "Community Center", "Public Square", "Sink Tank". It is said to be the second richest next to John RockefellerAndrew CarnegieHe is building a carnegie building with a library in the 1880s and it is known that the swimming pool, public baths, bowling alleys, shooting ranges, etc. were lined with the shelf.

After that, Mr. Carnegie's "Caution on establishing the library" developed in 1911 has been adopted by more than 2,500 libraries around the world, and the library has spread as a place to be used for purposes other than reading. Also in recent years, in 2012 David Weinberger advocates that the library is "an open platform". Mr. Weinberger makes it possible for anyone to access all the collections, metadata, technology etc. that it collects, so that developers can develop new applications, services and technologies, and ultimately to the development of the community We insist on connecting.

ByBettyx 1138

◆ Library as a social infrastructure
Users of public libraries in recent years are not necessarily intended for reading only. If there are people who want a free Wi-Fi or a PC connected to the Internet, they are high school graduate certification examination in JapanGEDThe library is used for various purposes, such as those who come to take the examination, those who create a resume and search jobs.Pew Institute90% of the respondents said that they will affect the community if the library is closed, 63% said that "the impact is We are also answering "serious."

A Japanese architectPritzker PrizeI have won 5 timesToyo ItoMr. Mr. Mr. is speaking about the fact that local civil servants have resumed the library quickly as a "cultural evacuation center" after the earthquake, although he is actively engaged in the afflicted areas since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Eric Krinenberg, a sociologist, says, "We have to arrange facilities and conditions so that anyone can visit social infrastructure like a library." In an interview, Krinenberg said in an interview that the "rebuilding power of the city" can be measured by the degree of maintenance such as parks and libraries as well as the transportation system, infrastructure, and communication networks.

The development of the library plays an important role for the community, but while public libraries are open to everyone, they do not benefit from being operated with public funds. However, in recent years complex libraries have also appeared without losing the nature of the community, one such example is a unique built library incorporating the design of architects.

By* CliNKer *

◆ Library as a technology / intellectual infrastructure
Diversity is required in the library, but the importance of the collections that the library has is not lost. Many historians, scholars, engineers and others are advocating the importance of valuable books in an accessible form, and even in the present age where the share of e-books is expanding, the intellectual "library" The presence of infrastructure seems to be big. It may not be an overstatement to think that the amount of collections and data that it holds directly leads to the value of the library. It is difficult to keep huge quantities of collections, but in some American libraries there are places where huge books are kept in the basement and are managed by robots and belt conveyors, and flows to promote digitalization are also appearing I will.

ByCorey Seeman

As a different type of intellectual infrastructure, Pittsburgh's Carnegie library holds workshops for young people every week in collaboration with Google and research institutes. Likewise, in the library of Chattanooga, Tennessee, we use the whole floor of 12,000 square meters on the 4th floor and open it as a "public research center / educational facility". There, you can use 3D printers, laser cutters, etc. Since it can be easily touched with technology and high-performance tools, it is handy mainly as a place of knowledge sharing and experiences among women's technology entrepreneurs etc. It is said that it is.

ByLarry Miller

◆ How should libraries develop as infrastructure
Mr. Matan thinks that libraries should go along with long-term and cultural objectives and states that what role they play in the infrastructure should be considered. As a platform, a long-term perspective that is not influenced by "what Google will do tomorrow" is necessary to play a role as a social, technical and knowledge infrastructure, and libraries not aimed at improving productivity , We point out that we should face a different direction from pursuit of innovation.