A Work in Progress: The JCOGS Library in Stowe, Vermont

It has been a busy summer here in Vermont, and my blog posts have been placed on the back burner for awhile as I tackle several fascinating projects.  One of these has been my work in helping the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) get a library of Judaica up and running for its congregation.

Several years ago, a generous collection of books was donated to the JCOGS congregation to found a library which would serve their community.  After a room was set aside and furnished,  JCOGS decided to call upon my services to complete work on this exciting new library. My mission was to establish an online catalogue, train volunteers, and determine how to accommodate the growing collection within the space available in the building.

The collection was housed at the bottom of the staircase on the lower level of the building.  It offered a warm, family-friendly space enhanced by comfortable furnishings and a pleasant color scheme.  The only difficulty was that the existing shelves were already filled, and more books were stored in boxes waiting for attention.  With the collection growing,  the shelf space would be quickly maxed out, yet the addition of more shelves would risk the loss of some of the features (such as the sofa) that made this room so welcoming.

 A conference room was located just down the hall from the library, making some in the congregation wonder whether that space would be more suitable for the library as it offered considerably more wall space. 

Others in the congregation were concerned that the conference room was less welcoming and wouldn't afford enough space for recreational use, such as the book and film discussions which regularly took place.  Here are photos of the conference room at the time of those discussions.

After looking at the pros and cons of each option, I proposed that the library use both rooms:  the original room as a "community space" for book and film discussions, as well as for Jewish fiction, cookbooks, children's materials.  The conference room would then house the scholarly collection including religious texts, history, biography, and reference materials.

 My aim was to "warm up" the room with the addition of attractive shelving, and allow the scholarly collection plenty of room to grow.

The shelves were built by a local contractor, using my specifications for color and materials.  They are bolted to the wall for safety.  The conference table doubles as a study table, and there is a plan to add a reading chair as well.


There is still more work to do, but a great deal of progress has been made toward launching the JCOGS library and its online catalogue in the fall.   I'll post again when the project is finished!

Joslin Memorial Library in Waitsfield, Vermont

In 1913, just two years after the dedication of the renowned New York Public Library building in Manhattan (see my earlier post), the small town of Waitsfield, Vermont laid the cornerstone of the Joslin Memorial Library.   It was a gift of Waitsfield native, George Alfred Joslin who had made his fortune in the newspaper business.  He dedicated the library as a memorial to his grandfather, Joseph Joslin.

Like the donors who helped to build New York's great library, George A. Joslin was part of a  "Golden Age" of library construction in the U.S. which saw the country's successful entrepreneurs embark upon thousands of public library projects.  You'll find a fuller history of the Waitsfield library at this website: http://www.central-vt.com/towns/library/Waitsfld.htm.

From what I could tell, the library's footprint has not changed since its construction- almost 100 years ago.  The lower level of the building still houses municipal offices as it has since the beginning.  The last major change took place in the 1970's when a children's area was set up in the room to the right of the entrance, a room which had housed the town post office until 1966.   During the post office years, the librarian also served as postmaster and janitor!  

 Given the fact that the library is occupying a building designed early in the previous century, the Joslin Library has had to be very creative about how to fit a 21st century service into what is essentially a 19th century structure.

I'll start by pointing out some of the striking original features of the building.  In the library's vestibule (above), note the decorative floor tiles, the marble wall, and the oak doors.



 This window above the main entrance has been described as a "starburst" design.  I believe that you can see this feature in other libraries built around this era.




In the handsomely detailed ceiling there is a stained glass skylight, which was described by the architect as an "art glass panel".
















The light fixtures are still original to the building.

 

Book shelves have been added as the library has grown.  The metal shelving shown at right is softened by the use of wood panels at the end of each bank.  Grooved wooden book supports mounted on the panels are very effective in displaying materials. 

Here you can see part of what was originally a massive oak circulation station.











Part of that was removed and replaced by what is essentially a more space-saving office desk.  Librarian Joy Worland told me that the library had just finished automating.  Note that laptops are used, once again because they save space. 

This view from the desk gives you an excellent idea of this historic library's  gracious interior.

Because the library has no dedicated program space, programs are held within the library itself.  Stacking chairs are tucked in along the walls and brought out when the library hosts a speaker.

Like other libraries, the Joslin Memorial has found that the availability of current information on the Internet has allowed them to downsize the reference collection.  The library is taking advantage of this trend to create an area for young adult materials in the main section of the library.  As you can see from the photo on right, this is a project that is now underway.

With our back to the circulation desk, we are now looking down the corridor toward the children's area, with it's inviting blue rug.

The children's collection is housed in a cozy and inviting room. They have made the best of their space shortage by the use of plexiglass book display holders (on right in photo) which allow books to be attractively displayed on windowsills while still permitting light to come through.

On the wall opposite the windows pictured above, the bulletin board cleverly placed above the bank of shelves offers space for signs and appealing displays without a loss of wall or floor space.

Even with little or no extra space, the library staff has made the most of what they have.  Plastic bins and baskets keep things tidy and attractive; appealing displays make children want to pick up a featured book.

With very little storage space, I asked about how the library managed its book sale.  Their solution is an "ongoing" book sale, tucked into a shelf in the marble-walled vestibule - a very effective solution. 











Finally, public internet stations (to right of photo) are  located near the main entrance.   You'll notice as you look toward the back of the room how all available wall space is being used and while the shelves are crowded, there is still a feeling of spaciousness.

I would like to thank librarian Joy Worland for her great work and for her willingness to take the time show me through this historic library. As the Joslin library approaches its centennial, it will be looking to expand upon the existing century-old space and to make the library handicap accessible.  It will be exciting to see their progress!  For more information, check out the Joslin Memorial Library's website at: http://www.joslinmemoriallibrary.com/

Reflections at the beginning of a new year

I noticed today that this little blog has been viewed well over 1,000 times since I began my travels through library space a little over four months ago.  Thanks to all of my viewers for your encouragement!  Now, with the new year underway, it seemed a good time to reflect on how I began this journey and to muse a bit over what I've learned on my travels.

When I decided to move away from library administration my intention was to become an avid library user.  I wanted more time to read some of the fascinating books I had ordered for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library over the years- but hadn't had time to read; I wanted to experience libraries from the other side of the desk; and I wanted to pursue a new career.  What I hadn't anticipated was how interested I would continue to be in the concept of the library as a public space.  It was this interest that inspired me to become a consultant with that concept in mind.

Over the course of my travels I was reminded that rural libraries generally cope with a shortage of space and a shortage of money.  Nonetheless, they are beloved by their customers -  those thrifty New Englanders who wholeheartedly embrace the notion of shared community resources. Librarians are revered in their communities as caring and intelligent purveyors of public knowledge, regardless of how small or poorly funded the library may be.   These librarians are masters at making the proverbial "stone soup": serving up a wonderful range of materials and services on a tiny budget.

Yet, there's not a librarian I've met who doesn't want more for his or her customers. Some long for a larger book budget or more computers, some envision an entirely new library, some are planning an expansion of an existing space, and others are simply looking for new ways to make their existing space better.  I admit to wishing more than once that I had time to make this journey while I was still a library director; there's no question that I would have adopted some good ideas to improve the experience of customers in my own library.  With luck, other librarians who are now in that position will find the blog a helpful resource and I welcome your suggestions and comments.

Imagining a new way to use space that we have inhabited every day is always a big challenge.  And when one is thinking about an entirely new space for a library it's equally difficult to imagine how that space should be laid out. 

It may be helpful to imagine the experience of a person coming through the library doors.  What is the first thing he or she sees?  If the customer is a child or a senior citizen, what would help them feel comfortable?   I've heard it suggested that we walk through the library while paying particular attention to what a customer's journey will be like. For instance, what do they hear within each space? What do they touch? What's it like to find a book, pull up a chair, turn on a lamp, sit at a computer, hold a handrail, and so on?   Do the transitions in the building make sense?  Can we give our customers the experience they need while trying surpass their expectations?

In my travels I've seen that small details are important — and I am talking about the ones that are most simple and obvious.  A well-placed chair, a clear directional sign, a welcoming corner that invites a child to curl up with a book, an attractive mural, good task lighting: these are the small things that can enhance the experience of the library at minimal cost.

Next week we'll be back on the road and escorting you through still more great libraries.  If for any reason you can't post a comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at: hilari@librariesthat work.com.

Jeudevine Memorial Library in Hardwick, Vermont

Jeudevine was built in the late 19th century as a memorial to Malina Jeudevine's husband and son. It is considered one of the finest works of Lambert Packard, the architect who also designed the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury and the Billings Museum at UVM. The building, inside and out, is a beautiful example of late 19th and early 20th century library architecture.  There's a full history on the library's website at http://www.jeudevinememoriallibrary.org/.

The library has had to meet the challenge of offering 21st century services in a building designed for the 19th century. The interior of the building is surprisingly small given the architectural impact of the exterior. However, computers have been placed with sensitivity for the integrity of the historic space.


The staff has also done a fine job of supplementing the original shelving. As space for materials ran out, book cases were added to the end of each bank of shelves, and additional shelves were built above the original waist-level shelving (below right).

I couldn't resist posting some photos which I took from the small mezzanine which serves as office space. The floor-to-ceiling paneling, stained glass windows, and exposed beams all make this library a most worthwhile stop on anyone's tour!

Many thanks to Nancy Rogers, Library Clerk, for graciously showing me through the building, and congratulations to Librarian Lisa Sammet for her good work.

Ainsworth Public Library in Williamstown Vermont

One of the most impressive things about our rural libraries is how much they manage to do on very little.  The Ainsworth Library is an excellent example of Yankee thrift and ingenuity.  Housed in an 1833 brick building, formerly a private home, the Ainsworth is coping very creatively in a tight space, given the library's expanded role as an Internet provider and information center.

On the left above you'll see a bookcase cleverly built into a staircase landing.

On the right,  the public Internet terminal is tucked beneath the same staircase.

  Local builders have helped out by building bookcases which make use of every inch of wall space - a testament to community involvement.

Here, a local artist transformed a plain table in the children's area to a work of art that forms the centerpiece of the room.

 

Given the limitations of the current space, it is noteworthy that the librarians have taken extra care to make sure that their library customers are comfortable and that the collection is inviting.  Note the chairs positioned in front of the biography section on the second floor.  A convenient chair is a small detail, but one which can make all the difference to someone needing a seat from which to browse.
Thanks to Assistant Librarian, Roberta Tracy, for showing me around on a busy day, and appreciation to Librarian, Flora O'Hara, for her fine work.