Academic Library Planning and Revitalization Institute Conference and Workshop and visits to US libraries

Lindiwe Soyizwapi and Marguerite Nel recently visited the United States of America (USA) to attend the Academic Library Planning and Revitalization Institute Conference and Workshop in Seattle from 25 to 27 March 2019. It was a small “learn-and-work” conference, providing attendees with an integrated and practical approach to library planning and design. A panel of professionals presented on the latest developments and approaches to library design and learning spaces. Since all of them were recently involved in new-built or renovated library projects, they were able to share their own experiences as well as lessons they learned from that with the audience. The practical tick-lists and templates provided will especially be useful in the planning and design of our library.

The first presentation introduced attendees to the elements of a modern academic library. This was followed by a panel discussion, where experts discussed how the vision for their library projects was conceived and how their spaces have met their original expectations.

A large part of the programme focussed on user needs. Presenters argued that the most successful academic library spaces were those that helped users to do their work well and pursue their academic goals. The alignment of library spaces, services and technologies with rapidly changing academic work practices requires an ongoing commitment to conducting user research and using the insights gained by it in the planning process. During these hand-on sessions, attendees were introduced to a variety of research techniques employed to identify and understand user needs and behaviour and to use this information in the design of library space and services.

Some of the other topics discussed include the selection of furniture and decisions on technology infrastructure.

The Conference programme also included a site visit to the Odegaard Undergraduate Library at the University of Washington, which had recently been renovated.

A post-conference workshop provided more insight into outreach and engagement strategies for securing philanthropic gifts and legislative funds. This workshop gave very useful guidance, practical advice and a number of sample letters and templates to be used in fundraising efforts.

Before the Conference, Lindiwe and Marguerite visited the James B Hunt Library at North Carolina State University as well as the Duke University Libraries. The Hunt library is a newly built library on the University's Centennial Campus (engineering, textiles, and hard sciences), while the Duke University Libraries serve a private research university in Durham. These visits provided valuable context and insight into international library trends and developments.

Both colleagues agreed that they found the visits as well as the Conference and Workshop very valuable and informative. They will be able to use this information in the planning and design of the new library. They also developed a clear understanding of current trends in academic library services as well as how to align library space, collections, technology and staff roles and functions accordingly.