Seeking Balance

posted 12/09/2009
People come into the library for a lot of different reasons. Probably more than you realize. Not surprisingly people often come in to check out a book or a movie. Others come to use our computers and check email, work on their resume, or do some research. Some bring in their laptops to use our Internet connection or print important documents. Sometimes people come to attend a library program or take one of our classes. Others come to meet friends and study together. Some come sit in front of the fire and read a magazine or newspaper. A lot of people come to use our meeting room for a wide range of uses. There are more reason, but I think you get the picture.

We have to balance all these different uses of the library and somehow make it work for all. We try to be aware of and responsive to how people actually use the library. We know we are pretty well set up to circulate materials, but beyond that we continually look at our spaces keeping an eye on changing uses. This year we did a significant rearrangement in the front area of the library to accommodate all of our programming. We know we will need to put more power outlets throughout the library as more and more people work on laptops in every corner.

One change we are making right now is to what we have called the Quiet Room. This is our small enclosed room that was intended to be a place where people could close the door and work in a quieter space. But over time we have seen groups of people number from two to eight using the room for collaborative work.

Tutors meet with their students. Adults meet together to review documents. Students meet in groups to study and socialize. There has been a tension with enforcing quiet in that room and recognizing a need for people to meet and work together.

So we have decided to re-designate the room the Study Room and update our use policies for that space. Groups can now officially and with blessings use that space to meet and talk without disturbing others around them. It is first-come first-serve and fairly self regulating. We will continue to monitor use and re-evaluate as necessary.

We love to get feedback about ways you use the library so we can make sure it's working!

Laura Tretter
Director
San Juan Island Library
360.378.2798
ltretter@sjlib.org

editor@sanjuanislander.com

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