The Advantages to a Library on Wheels

I had a very productive and idea-inspiring call yesterday with a loyal reader to discuss some ideas she has for maximizing the potential for her Library.  This got my wheels to turning when she asked me one particularly pivotal question.  She wanted to know if I've seen other Libraries moving from a more stationary style to a more mobile style of Library.  And while I haven't seen too much of that to be honest, I started wondering why.

What would the advantages be of having a more mobile Library?

Has it worked for anyone in my audience?  If you've tried it by the way, and have something constructive to say about your experience, I would LOVE your input.  Visit my Off the Shelf Library Design page on Facebook and find my post on this topic.  And let me know you're a subscriber!  I would love to chat with you!!

The main point made by my lovely caller was that the building she wants to use is currently being used by the community for multiple functions but not enough to be able to sustain the expenses of owning and running the building.  She proposes moving their Library into that space but knows some of the hurdles she will have to overcome will be in regards to losing that space as a multi-functional building.

We discussed it further and it makes sense to offer her Library as a mobile unit that not only draws more people into the building by promoting the services and programs offered by the Library, but also lends itself to a more flexible use of space so other people in the community don't feel confined to it's sole use as a Library.

I personally think it's a brilliant solution.  Not to mention if she can sell it as a space that will encourage the cross-use of spaces to encourage Library patrons to use the other spaces for community uses and then the community is encouraged to use the Library, then both spaces become catalysts for further growth in the future.

A QUICK CASE STUDY

For example, we designed a "Technology and Community Center" for our county a few years back.  One side is all basketball courts, a spacious workout room, party rooms and over-sized meeting rooms for any possible use the community may need.

But on the other side is a full-sized Library and technology center.  Both are accessed from the same centrally-located corridor and have a large welcome desk right out front to direct people to whatever they may be looking for on any given day.

What's so great about this is that when people come in for a basketball game or to work out, they see that they have full access to their Library too.  All programs for both spaces get full exposure to the community which is an excellent marketing tool too.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!

So how would you go about conducting a more mobile Library?  Well obviously most everything would need to be on casters and storage would be a must.  

You would need to have a few back-of-house areas to store materials and furniture for when the space needed to be quickly transformed into it's new use.  This means that there are going to be spaces that must remain static.  You would need a workroom area and even office space for senior staff.

That being said, there's no reason you couldn't pull your collection down to mobile shelving units and keep your furniture light and easily movable.  A lot of furniture can come with a casters option anyway, which would help with mobility too.  Resource desks could hold computers while being on casters as well so that when time to move, you just unplug and relocate.

THIS MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE

Now, I know there are plenty of you out there looking around your own Library right now and saying, this would be impossible for us!  And I'm most certainly not saying this is an option for everyone.  Clearly it is NOT.  But in certain circumstances where the building calls for more versatile spaces, this is definitely an option that could be explored.

And that all begins with an open mind.  Start asking the questions.  What could we mobilize in our Library that would make this a workable plan if we needed to be more versatile?

Besides, there are plenty of times when mobility is critical even if you aren't sharing a space.

Every single time we need to relocate a Library temporarily for a renovation, it always comes up.  How are we going to move everything with as little disruption as possible?  Mobile Library?  Perhaps so!  

And having a more mobile Library would not only make the move easier to navigate, it would also be a huge advantage for more versatile programs for your patrons as well as.  Not to mention any time you just need a fresh change to your layout, mobilizing would be the easiest answer.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So while a mobile Library may not be the answer for everyone, it's certainly something to consider.  It could be the ease of use you've been looking for.  And maybe your entire Library can't be mobilized, but maybe some parts could be.  And from where I'm sitting, any ease of use in a Library is a welcome addition.