The International Library (…in Sweden)

I seem to be obsessed with Sweden these days, but there are so many exciting things happening there. Not only IKEA and H&M, but also interesting books and movies. And now the International Library!

For a while I have been interested in libraries’ role in facilitating a smooth transition for immigrants into a new culture. There are many examples that this role is taken seriously by many libraries around the world. I moved to the United States from Europe around six years ago. I didn’t have any language problems, but the culture shock was great. There were many times I just wanted to go back and I would desperately search for jobs in England, or anywhere except here….The library became a place that seemed very familiar to me, both people and the institution itself. Even so, most immigrants need the library for information in order to understand and slowly integrate into a new life.

The International Library in Sweden is interesting as it operates as a separate unit (although organizationally as part of the Stockholm Public Library) only to serve people with different cultural backgrounds and different languages. The entire Web site is offered in English, Swedish, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, and Persian. Patrons can visit the library and obtain a library card as in any other library. If the patron does not live in Stockholm he or she can turn to their local public library who will be able to order foreign language material from the International Library. According to their Web site the collection consists of over 200,000 books in over 100 languages. In addition, the library offers an extensive collection of other materials such as music, movies, and reference materials. The library also offers programs, databases, and computers. Most importantly, the staff is multilingual and can help in many different languages. I am very impressed by this library and I am curious to know if there are more international libraries around.

http://www.interbib.se/default.asp?id=13552 

Another International Library

Another international library that came to my interest this week is of a completely different nature. Haskell Free Library and Opera House is an international library in the literal sense of the word as it straddles the border between Canada and the United States. It was purposely built on the border in order to encourage learning and cultural exposure on both sides of the border. It is a two-story building based  on Victorian Architecture. The library is downstairs and the opera house upstairs. The library is beautiful with an old restrictive style. The Opera House is more luxurious. As the library is actually on the border issues such as passport checks and customs adds to the intrigue of the library. However, according to the librarian as long as the patrons exit the same way they came in they do not have to pass through customs. Haskell Free Library and Opera House is definitely on my list of libraries to see.

http://www.haskellopera.org/

The Idea Store

In the article “When is a library not a library? When is it an Idea Store?” Deyan Sudjic describes the Idea Store, a new type of British Library. The Idea Store is a concept that was formulated in Britain in the late 1990s.The thought was that the traditional British Library needed an overhaul due to a dramatic decrease in patronage. According to Sudjic the complaints were based on the remote location of libraries in general, their out of date image, and poor customer service. The Idea Store was presented as an idea to meet some of the demands set forth by the public. The core mission of the Idea Store was, according to the strategy plan, to improve health, employability, and lifelong learning. In other words, the Idea Store should help improve the quality of life in the community by providing computers, café, child care, free home delivery services, and educational classes. There are now six Idea Stores spread around London.

The idea of changing the library into a community center might not be revolutionary; however there is something with the concept of the Idea Store that fascinates me. It is a place for sharing ideas in the very wide meaning of the concept. The fact that the architecture is modern and inspirational of course adds to the allure of it. It manages to combine the new with the old. It provides top of the art technology and architecture while also offering services that will improve the well being in the community.

http://www.ideastore.co.uk/

The American Place, Hartford Public Library, CT

Hartford Public Library is a prime example of a library who promotes diversity and a multicultural society. The American Place (TAP) is an integral part of the library and aimed at immigrants in the community. TAP is there to assist immigrants with practical issues that face them when arriving in the United States. The library provides assistance on all levels in the immigration process including citizen classes and language classes. According to Naficy in her article “Centering Essential Immigrant Help on the Library Web site: The American Place (TAP) at Hartford Public Library” the staff has also developed a keen interest and knowledge in the immigration process in order to help their immigrants integrate into American life

The American Place is an excellent initiative. I also get the sense that there is an integrated respect and curiosity embedded in the library culture that makes this such a success. Immigrants bring new culture and languages to a community. This diversity can have a positive effect on a community, especially if they are welcomed as they are in Hartford. I wish more libraries would follow their example.

 http://www.hplct.org/tap/

Self-Checkouts in the Library

Self-checkouts in libraries are becoming increasingly common. For many libraries it is the next expected step in incorporating new technology. The belief is that it will make the checkout procedure quicker. It should also give patrons a better sense of privacy as it lets them manage their own account to a larger degree than with the traditional checkout system. Some libraries even let patrons pay their fines with credit cards without having to interact with the librarian at all.  As for most new systems however, it takes a long time before self-checkout is smooth sailing. Even though the expectation is that the patrons can check out the materials themselves, more often than not patrons need assistance from the librarian in order to update their address, renew books, or pay fines. As a consequence, many patrons find that the new system causes aggravation and stress.

Also, many patrons look forward to a chat with the librarian. The chat can be about books they like, a possible hip-replacement or an upcoming wedding. It doesn’t matter what it is about, but it is an important part of the library experience. It might sound like a cliché, but for many the library is the only place for those chats. Most of us are excited by new technology and believe it is the only way forward, but sometimes we should listen to the quiet complaints that many of our patrons utter. They might not be all wrong.  

http://www.rfidnews.org/2010/07/22/ma-library-sets-to-debut-rfid-self-checkout-system