What will our libraries looks like in 10 years?

There are so many visions out there for what our libraries will be like in the future, from looking like something out of a sci-fi movie to not existing at all. My vision is little more flexible - I believe we need a space that can bend to the times, and for this reason, I try to ensure that any changes I make are slow and subtle.

Of course, with the library already being part of the second place, can it be seen as this third place? This is the question asked by Hanny Byrd Little, in a Knowledge Quest article, in the revamp of her library, where she's added a coffee machine, comfy chairs, board games and wireless internet, and is promoting it as a space for after-school meetings or simply to hang out. So I believe she's answered her own question - yes, a library can be for studying, learning, working, reading, but it can also fulfill the vital role of a third place: offering our learners space in which they can 'gather'.

With this in mind, I'm doing some minor furniture shifting this term:

• adding a coffee table and poufs next to the Art section - during lesson time, the Art students can pour over some of the stunning books we are fortunate to have on offer during their classes, but the space can then also be used as chill-out zone in the afternoons for anyone to use
• turning one of our large 'study' tables into a maker-space environment - not a very ambitious one: I'm only going to offer (over various terms) colouring in, puzzles, board games, cards, knitting and upcyling projects, which can also extend to the coffee table area next to it

Only small changes, but ones that won't interfere with the other roles of the library. Watch this space!

(I also enjoyed this article: Are Retail Stores the New Community Centers?)

Are you making any changes in your library this year?