The Collective at Sea 2024

Libraries have long faced space concerns. These concerns stem from not having room for new programs and services, to having spaces to continue legacy duties of collection, preservation, and access. Any new professional needs the skills to navigate these choppy waters. This practice will give new and experienced professionals ideas about how to anticipate, plan, and execute creative and coherent operations for expansion.  

In this session, participants will be tasked with developing a revitalization plan for a 100-year-old historic building. The King library is currently two buildings that are completely separate, even though they share a common wall. One side contains manuscripts, university archives, rare books, a letter press operation, a digital lab, and an oral history center. The other has science orientated collections, a map library, a digital scholarship lab, and a floor dedicated to storage. There are a combined total of four service points. Join us for a completely interactive session where participants will be split into groups to disrupt old spaces for new and invigorating services for a united King Library Research Hub. The presenters will share photographs, guiding principles, and floor plans. The small groups will brainstorm and then share their innovations to spark creative conversation and ideas that the presenters will use to influence the actual renovation. Importantly, this activity will generate takeaways and tips to inspire new spaces for library services, staff spaces, and collaboration for the next generation of users.