WEEK TWO: Research

Library Research

Continuing with the idea of converting a boat shed into a library to produce a space of atea, of meeting, the task today was to research this concept. 

History of libraries in the Western World, Fourth Edition by Michael H. Harris 

• The origin of libraries is not known, rather they developed over time
• Defined by "collection of graphic materials arranged for relatively easy use, cared for by individuals familiar to that arrangement..."
• Important conditions for library growth:
• Social - rise of urban centers including educational development, standard home environments, leisure time, population size
• Economic - sophisticated record-keeping system is able to thrive
• Political - government support
• Library collection is widely available and inexpensive
• Libraries have been connected and are a valuable tool for construction of distinguished cultural identity and are therefore have been universally utilized by people in power
• Historically records kept together were written on materials such as wood; stone; various metals; hides and leather; leaves; bark; cloth; cotton; clay and paper
• The most common form was papyrus, kept in pigeon holes or niches in library walls. Also used was parchment and clay tablets
• First form of books was the 'codex' from Latin caudex meaning 'trunk of a tree'
• Public libraries are defined as publicly owned; tax-supported; open to any citizen who desires it
• After hours returns box and proper signage are universal customer service aspects

Small libraries of New Zealand by Margaret Jenner 

What makes a good library?

• Akaroa Coronation Library, est. 1875
• open fire, port, cigars
• lively intellectual discussions
• massive council table
• Albany Memorial library, est. 1922
• wooden tables and benches
• hand woven cushion covers
• rug by fireplace
• stained glass
• borrowing book - name and phone number written down
• Borrow for 3 weeks
• Eleanor Howard Tripp Memorial Library, est. 1936
• History of town on a wall
• Corner window seat
• Magazines, games and jigsaws also
• Ferry Landing Coromandel Peninsula Library, est. 1960
• shared stock with three other community libraries so customers do not run out of reading material
• Glentunnel Library
• Open 2 hours a day, 5 days a week
• Granity Community Library
• Trestle tables holding daily newspapers
• $10 a year membership

*Many of these small libraries are run by volunteers

*Many are only $5 a year membership, either individually or for a family

*With a well stocked library, these small run community services were looking at 200 borrowings a month