Bringing a Library to Patrons

Libraries at Alternative Spaces

Abstract

In the hope of providing an inspirational example paper presents examples of libraries operating at alternative spaces. Libraries at two airports, at the boat and in the underground railway system are depicted in an effort to provide examples of best practice because possibilities in this area numerous and still mostly unused. By following patrons to these alternative spaces libraries have increased the usability and widened the range of their target user groups. In order to accommodate specific target user groups i.e. travelers these libraries had to develop expertise in collection development in regards to usage of paper and electronic resources and also the media by which electronic resources are delivered to users. Heavy usage of electronic reading devices like iPADs at these libraries should be illustrative and inspirational for libraries based at classical spaces on how tackling users needs and expectations change the tools for librarians’ everyday working tasks.