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$39.5 Million Hi-Tech Library Opens In Illinois
The new $39.5 million Fountaindale Public Library features: flat-screen TVs, video games, self-checkout stations, a variety of e-readers, and a cafe. Library officials say the new facility is a blueprint for libraries of the future, and will focus on using new technologies. From the article: "The Fountaindale Public Library, with its state-of-the-art, Wi-Fi equipped space, is starkly different from the previous antiquated library, a nearby one-story brick structure built in 1975 that awaits the wrecking ball. Officials are hopeful the new facility attracts a demographic libraries haven't seen in a number of years — young professionals."
I can't wait to be a homeless person so I can start hanging out in that library!
Or perhaps they heard that education is the sure way to bolster and sustain the economy in the long term within a world market.
They'll keep a few print books in the back as museum specimens.
Hey, we got cash for new sports stadiums and missiles and what-not, why not libraries - at least they target generally lower-income people.
Edmonton moved to the "high-tech" libraries a few years ago, and the only complaint I have about them is the self-checkout, and that's just because I like librarians (the machines generally work just fine).
Videogames get kids in the door, at which point there's a chance they'll actually pick up a book. Ditto movies and music. Public wi-fi is a logical partner to libraries (open access, etc.)
Is there really much point to non-collegiate / scholastic libraries in 2011? It seems like most non-print resources are available at home.
Four-digit slashdot ID. Recognize.
Maybe they'll be like the RCL (sp? the VFW equivalents that are like clubs for each city) in Australia because as much as I like coffee and gay boys I'm just not a fan of having to go to Starbucks as a place to concentrate.
That and my local library is in a township which is not up to par at all.
Apparently they got that whole budget / bankrupt thing handled
Don't get me wrong, I like libraries. I use them fairly frequently too, actually. But the single biggest factor for me about a library is the number and quality of books. Wi-Fi is nice, though I have mobile internet with me most of the time anyway. Plasma screens usually just relay simple info that could be covered by a sign.
I don't want to disparage technology - but it's much less important than the books (and good chairs...).
Is it now time to get off your lawn?
*''I can't believe it's not a hyperlink.''
Flat screen TVs? Self-checkout? That makes it as sophisticated as... every grocery store in Bollingbrook.
That said, I think the reinvention of libraries from a book-storage facility to a community space devoted to being a platform for self education, ad hoc business, and community organizing is awesome. That, not the inclusion of teevee, is the point worth noting here.
I doubt it, in my experience most libraries fill far more than just the role of book repository. My local public library has live readings, local authors, numerous child programs (including some for infants and families), internet and computer access, study rooms, conference rooms, inter-library loan for those hard to get (and very much non-electronic) books, tutoring programs, etc... They fill both social and personal flesh-space needs centering around knowledge, information sharing, and learning.
And don't forget the almost-mystic power of a good librarian. Perhaps they could perform in a telework model if libraries do go the way of Blockbuster, but they'll still be needed as both public and private servants.
But the library probably got off tax free... ;)
Ah, what, don't want it to be too convenient? Will infringe on the bookstore business? How about you take the gazillion dollars dumped on this library and award it to writers/e-publishers instead, maybe pro-rated per online interest in their books.
I frequently feel that the centralized commie approach to books is better for culture and literacy.
What I wonder is couldn't they have put something effective together for less than $39 million? It seems like a ton of money. ebooks seem like such a waste too if you need a reader to read them and cost the same as a regular book. Books are easy and you don't need batteries or an e-reader to view them. There is something satisfying about coming home from the library with a stack full of books. Ahhh, I can almost smell that old book smell now.
I wonder how they handle extended power outages.
Do they just close? Do they have a UPS/generator system that will carry them over? Is there a manual system for those who simply want to check out an old-school dead-tree book?
>>>numerous child programs, tutoring
that's what videogames and school/teachers are for
If I had to pick between a good teacher and a good librarian, I'd take the librarian. The upside of spending your work day surrounded by books is that you tend to become well-rounded and well-informed.
Disclaimer: I spent a summer in my youth working in a library (upgrading the card catalog from Apple II to PC). You can't help but learn things in that environment.
I guess I'm a bit old school when it comes to libraries (nothing better than an old Carnige library building) so I'm a little dubious that televisions and video games should be there - they constitute a distraction from reading and research. On the other hand, it's heartening to hear that money is being put into libraries - they're an important resource. Technology for cataloging and checkout is certainly good, as a library full of books can be quite the resource management challenge.
I'm a little surprised they're unhappy about not seeing professionals - in my experience as people move to the young professional stage specialization means the local public library isn't likely to have what they need (specialized technical books tend to be a long shot, since only one in 1000 patrons will want it and that one probably would order a newer version through Amazon...). On the other hand, they're GREAT for young kids who will burn through a ton of books on a broad range of topics in short order. They're also good when you get towards retirement and don't need the intense focus demanded by professional careers - wandering into the library and picking up a random book for half a day is more practical then.
If they want young professionals(why?) they'd have to get a whole bunch of subscriptions (online, if nothing else) to paywall publications that people can't cheaply get at home via the internet. (One of the great things about universities - if you want a random scientific article you can often go online and download it, as opposed to coughing up $30...)
"I object to doing things that computers can do." -- Olin Shivers, lispers.org
Want to get young professionals in libraries? Make an area where people can sit in comfy chairs and get a coffee while they read or surf WiFi.
Libraries could use the extra revenue from coffee shops (heck it can be a local shop, not even a chain). Have several large desks where people can spread out work or homework and work in small groups... again, with coffee.
You'd be surprised how many more young professionals would spend hours in a library if they can get their caffeine addiction served.
... that's just because I like librarians
Yeah, me too.
That is all.
Illinois is broke dot com
Space age libraries. Woohoo.
Yeah, who needs all that high-falutin edumication stuff? All this talk of having an educated population is just an excuse for wasteful spending to fund the fat cat librarians. Think of how that $39.5 million would have plugged the state's budget hole.
Drill baby drill - on Mars
They did this when they built the new Salt Lake City main library a few years back. Along with some of the small shops in there, it seems to have worked pretty well.
No one cares what you would do. Go start your own library.
One of the great things about universities - if you want a random scientific article you can often go online and download it, as opposed to coughing up $30
So true.
The funny part is my city library has all those amenities, is in a building far older than "antiquated 1975" and cost a heck of a lot less than $40M to add those amenities.
It really is kind of shocking to add up the costs of those exotic amenities, subtract from $40M, and see whats left. Probably about $39.5M
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
My city's library has internet and email classes people can attend for free, as well as large print books and a new children's wing that has indoor trees that kids can sit in and read from with specially aimed lights to help make that work. We don't have all that fancy TV stuff as the one in this story though. We do have a coffee, soup and sandwich shop though!
You'd be surprised how many more young professionals would spend hours in a library if they can get their caffeine addiction served.
They tried that at my local library. Mostly attracted homeless, drunks, and teenagers, whom repelled more young professionals than the coffee attracted.
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
depends on what you want them to lean, just cause its evil doesnt mean its not knowledge
only complaint I have about them is the self-checkout
But self-checkout lets you check out in Pirate!
Okay, the necessary disclaimer is that that's my website, and I made the themes.
And, of course, they only work with ITG's machines, and I have no idea which self-check vendor your library uses.
Still, speaking as someone who was originally not sold on the self-checkout machines, especially when the edict from above was, "Make everyone use the self-checkout machines unless there's no other option." Once that got toned down, and I came up with the themes, they became a fun, focal point of the library where people would go because it offered something of value, rather than just making it so the library doesn't have to hire more people.
I suppose my secondary point is that this is another case where technology has scary aspects, but has some nifty possibilities that weren't necessarily foreseen.
why not libraries - at least they target generally lower-income people.
So do the missiles. Let's eliminate waste by cutting those redundant libraries!
Perhaps they could perform in a telework model
I think they're already doing that. Well, if askaway.info is the sort of thing you mean. I guess that's Wisconsin's portion of the system, but libraries throughout the country are involved.
Is a good model library of the future. All the world's information at my fingertips, with minimal hosting costs and minimal hassle. No need for taxpayer-paid fancy facilities, flat-screen TVs and all that shit. Fix copyright length and it might just become possible!
I thought a professional was just someone who spent their mornings in the cafe reading a paper.
An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
In otherwords just build a cafe.
An SQL query goes to a bar, walks up to a table and asks, "Mind if I join you?"
What does a librarian do that google can't?
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
You need to pay the tax bills of someone making $125k/year or $250k/year, living in a high expense area, before you surmise that someone is rich, simply because they make a bit more than you.
Bottom line I simply see nothing a library (or blockbuster) offers that can not be found in my ten-room home That's why I stopped going to the library or blockbuster.
FTFY. You'd be shocked to learn how many Americans still don't have Internet at home, nor credit cards (or even bank accounts) to use on Amazon, nor basements and bedrooms with "fat recliners", nor can afford to buy every book they would pick up in a library. While you may like to imagine you're "normal", there are far more people living in one-room apartments with thin walls and loud neighbors. Your unsolicited individual habits are irrelevant and nothing you've "simply" said really matters in the discussion because it's based on a misunderstanding what the real, larger world is like. Fact of the matter is libraries are a necessary public service in much of the United States.
Beside costs, there are qualitative issues at hand as well. Audible and author websites are not equivalent. They don't let you interact with the author and provide a a static and one-dimensional listening experience compared to live, interactive and actually-interesting readings (you've never actually attended a decent one, right?). Facebook? Why would I want to subscribe to a feed telling me in which far-away city an author is appearing each weekend to sell their current book? I want to talk to them about their craft- not their bus tour. Suggesting teachers are tutors suggests you understand the role of neither. In addition to that, substituting child programs with computer games tells us you're either not a parent, or a really crappy one.
I'm guessing you use Slashdot to check "social life" off your list too. How sad. There's a big world to experience out, and it's very obvious you're not getting enough of it through your monitor. No amount of money is too much to prevent more kids from growing up like that.
can't help but think of rollerball (with james caan). does anyone remember the library scene where books are being converted into digital format and then accidentally get deleted, forever?
Provide a place where you can actually meet real people.
Your argument makes no sense. The only reason books are tangible is because nobody has scanned them yet and converted/released them to electronic form (Google's working on that). They are really not any different from the latest Killzone 3, which thanks to modern copy-protection, is also not that easy to duplicate (hackers and crackers are working on that).
why people are upset at government spending... a cafe? video games?
The library in Orange County, Florida will even deliver books/videos to your house...
This is beyond ridiculous.
Borders has TVs now!
Ken
I recognise a few of those sexy librarians...sadly only from adult fine art films though.
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
now I get all my stuff from amazon (used market) or isohunt (theft) or official websites (legal)
Nice subtle troll, that's more like it.
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
What does a librarian do that google can't?
Handjobs.
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
You need to pay the tax bills of someone making $125k/year or $250k/year, living in a high expense area, before you surmise that someone is rich, simply because they make a bit more than you.
Ignoring your stupid comment about taxes (as I don't suppose you have a greater than 100% tax rate where you live) then if you choose to live in a high expense area you really shouldn't complain about how much it costs. It's like saying "do you know how expensive it is running a Ferrari?" to a homeless person begging for change.
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
Who the fuck said anything about a 100% tax rate?
BUT as long as my dollars are involved, the product of my own sweat and work, then I will offer my opinion on the matter whenever, however, and wherever I desire.
If you don't like things like libraries being built, move to ... Somalia! The government free utopia you Ayn Rand fucks have been ejaculating too for years.
And in the future, if you or any other Politician tries to silence me, then I will remove him from office at the earliest opportunity because he is no longer listening to the Will of the People.
Haha, don't make me laugh with your threats. What are you going to do, make some more sockpuppet accounts on Slashdot and flame me? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO