Smartlibraries

I am going to start calling Dutch libraries Smartlibraries, because they're just so damn efficient and capable, like smartphones.

Today we went to the Rotterdam library and noticed many things that are helpful and simple.

Note to your right that the bottom shelf is tilted upward, so you can see the spine of the books without having to bend down or get on the floor. Also, no top shelf that collects dust. Also, shelves don't go too high, so you can see everything going on in the library.

Also note the book covers displayed here. Don't you just want to pick them up? You do, you know you do.

Another great tool is the stickers on each book - instead of the call number being displayed so prominently, which really doesn't tell your average person anything about the book, each book here has a sticker, and they're coded according to what genre the book is. Note above left. I blushed while taking the picture, but Nancy Pearl told me this summer I had to take a picture of the erotica genre sticker, and it's just so cute. I also like that it's directly above family stories.

There's also super cool lighting fixtures with quotes on them from various works, a ton of computers accessible for free, study rooms, study caves, a poem jukebox, a kids section that has plush carpet, huge books at kid level, a play space to run around in, and a set of choir-like stairs for story time. Also a teen section with weird stuffed plush cats. Kind of odd, but cool. And there's a radio station, and a cafe where you can eat on the roof and look out at Rotterdam.

The best part of the Rotterdam library is the huge life-size chessboard in the lobby, where every day old men gather to play chess - This library is definitely community space in a way I haven't seen much in the States. Pretty damn cool.