What 'wow' factors will attract you to visit the public library?

Question

Currently, there are cafes in libraries and some libraries are located in shopping malls. But is there something else which might attract users to walk into libraries, especially those who are not using them?

Answer 1

We need to kick them irritating and noisy kids out. They are so ******* noisy. And their parents. And other people who do not put their handphones on silent mode or like to talk out loud.

For heaven's sake, it's a library.

If them noisy people and kids are out, and we have more seating, that would be a factor in itself; I will definitely love to visit the library.

Answer 2

I've been to 'wow' libraries, including the Library of Congress, lots of libraries with stone, glass and steel, expansive entries, fountains, fireplaces, huge works of abstract art.  A 'wow' library is fun to visit.

I've also tried to work in my university's version and you could hear another student whispering 75 feet away, and the screech when someone pulled out a chair!  There's a reason the tables there were researved only for grad students.

If I were to design something to make a library bring in visitors, I'd include most of those features in the exterior decorating - in most places: the shell.  The interior would be able to change with the future needs of the citizenry.  Perhaps like the Pompidou Center in Paris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Geor...

or the Geisel Library in San Diego

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisel_Libr...

As for the interior, if money was no object, I would have multiple meeting rooms with exterior entrances.  Library programs are and will always be important for bringing in people. Then, a nice enclosed work area would be good for your copiers, a credit card operated self-service fax, public bulletin board, comb binding machine, large table with matt surfaces to cut paper with razor blades.  If it was close to the internet area, I'd have the coin operated printers feed into it, too.  

Add some stools and high counters, and it would be a good place to send people to take their cell phone calls, thereby keeping your library quiet so people can hear the fountains, or the fire, or the bubbles in the aquarium....  

Answer 3

Great to pop in to use the Internet and do urgent e-mails--only costs S$1.80 per hour for use.  The Central Library in town often holds exhibitions, interesting talks; you can also browse both local and  foreign newspapers there. The newspaper staff does a frequent  and efficient service of collecting and rearranging the papers on shelves in sequential order of dates.

Another great service is that it is open daily, including Sunday. Most of the time it is quite and comfortable with lots of seats. It is one of the few places where you can find some quiet and cozy moments flipping through countless magazines, while having some coffee or meal close by. Also great cool place for couples and retirees but must go early to 'chope' better seats! Saturdays between 1 and 4pm can be

awfully crowded.

Of course, it would be most ideal that all branch libraries could one day be three-storied buildings, with a separate level for kids who will always be noisy. And there should be more seating and tables provided. And more free talks for teenagers and adults conducted.

Answer 4

Cosyness, makes it easier to sleep. More air fressheners would be nice.

Answer 5

Free wireless internet + free power for charging my laptop!

Answer 6

the same thing as the others i guess

Answer 7

Comfy sofas and armchairs always draw me into a library. I go for the books, but for those who don't a nice environment to sit and think is always a good thing to find.

Answer 8

Free Food, yum yum

Answer 9

good for sleeping while waiting for my gf to finish her shopping somewhere... yeah.. somewhere..

Answer 10

books!!  duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

The main attraction to libraries should be books! If it's something else then there's definitely something wrong.. Even if you don't like reading per-se you can get many stuff in there.

Lots of different titles of magazines even those from the 70's, reference for assignments, cookbooks that you can copy recipes for tonight's dinner from, comics, travel guides for next week's getaway to Bangkok, CDs, DVDs, etc.

Other than that, they have free internet, free electricity & wifi for your laptop, comfy but sometimes freezing aircon, exhibitions, and hot bookish girls you can pick up.

Answer 12

Cafes are common, I would not enter a library for those services, so it will be for books only. Anyway, a lot of books are not found as in the portal, so I must make a reservation for them, I go down to collect it and go elsewhere to study, seldom in the library, unless I need to read a reference book.

If I don't need any library services, I would not enter a library.

Answer 13

the headphones there got bacteria.. so many people use wan.. so i hate there.. and can see school kids lying down.. studying in a group.. d**n irritating, as if they own the d**n place.. and old folks sleeping with a book in their hand..