The L!brary Initiative

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Scholastic Auditorium - SoHo

The L!brary Initiative as described by the Architecture League of New York:

In the past decade, more than 50 new libraries have been created in New York City elementary schools through the combined efforts of the Robin Hood Foundation and New York City Board of Education. The Library Initiative brought together architects, educators, and school administrators to envision how libraries could function as educational and community centers in schools—inviting myriad learning opportunities, from quiet reading to collaborative performances. Architects for the libraries worked in partnership with individual school communities; many of the projects benefited as well from collaborations with graphic and industrial designers and artists.

• The design thesis attempted to make the school library as a destination that kids want to visit like the playground, etc.
• Can a public/private partnership be driven by innovation?
• Some feel that successful classroom teachers should be working in the libraries as opposed to individuals with a Master in Library Sciences because they are better at activating schools and kids.
• Are there things that we know that are good regardless of whether or not we can quantify it?
• Have these libraries been successful....perhaps only time will tell?