SPECIAL AND ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE LEAD THE NORWEGIAN LIBRARY LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING

Transcription

1 Published in Bibliotekforum no. 6/2005 IFLA Meeting in Oslo Special Edition SPECIAL AND ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE LEAD THE NORWEGIAN LIBRARY LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING Year 2005 represents a boom when it comes to the opening of new special libraries. Typical for these projects is the strong focus on innovative, aesthetic library rooms inviting users to enjoy an inspiring learning and sharing environment. Modern architects are the driving force behind the design and functionality of the new and advanced libraries. The librarians are renewing their alliances with the users. By Karl Kalseth, Managing Director, Kunnskapsgartnerne AS (The Knowledge Gardeners) will be a year to remember for special and academic librarians in Norway. After decades with negative focus and discouraging news about shut-downs of special libraries, there is now a boom when it comes to the opening of new or renovated special libraries. No less than five major special libraries open their new buildings this year. In addition, the National Library will open its new office and storage wing following extensive renovation started in From collection to connection For years special libraries have been placed under strong pressure to become more cost-effective, to deliver results that count for the parent organisation, whether an academic institution, a public authority, or a commercial enterprise. Obviously, special libraries have succeeded in the turn-around, and have brought to the table significant arguments for their future existence. In short, new roles have been defined that verify that the special library is a main vehicle for cost-effective information provision and flow within organisations; for knowledge accumulation, sharing and use; and last but not least, for enhanced learning capabilities. Special libraries have become integrated into the information and knowledge value chain of their parent organisations, achieving a huge advantage in comparison to public libraries in that respect. A commitment to solving end user needs, and to delivering simplified access to, and use of, the services are key success factors. Special libraries have always been proactive in adopting new technologies and Kunnskapsgartnerne AS Side 1

2 have introduced virtual library services that expand the availability of the services independently of time and place. The physical library collection is becoming less important. While public libraries in general have not been able to expand their roles by realising the potentials inherent in their position as intermediaries, special libraries on the other hand, have managed to include information and knowledge dissemination in the strategies and policies of their parent organisations to a much higher degree than seen before. As a consequence, hybrid library organisations incorporating public library services, but rooted in the special library as the main component, have appeared on the scene. One-stop-shop The Bodø University College inaugurated its new library on the very first working day of this year. The vision for the new library is to be a onestop-shop. Within one geographical location on the campus, students can now find all the basic services available to them. The innovative approach of the new library is the distinct user orientation. While the basic library services are still traditional, the packaging is done with the purpose of making the services more attractive to the users. The interior of the library make use of materials, fittings, decorations and furniture that stimulate the well-being of the students, teachers and researchers; and support their learning and work processes in the best possible manner. In conjunction with study rooms, colloquium rooms and auditoria, and other rooms designed to inspire social interaction, sharing and learning, the library is equipped with many learning spaces for groups as well as individuals. Of course, the library allows wireless use of PC s and other technologies. Thus, the library is an integrated part of a flexible learning environment accommodating users a Learning and Resources Centre (LRC). The ultimate goal is to significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of the studies. From laggard to front runner The Arts Library of the University of Bergen re-opened on August 1 st this year. The library has been refurbished and rebuilt as a modern functional library. The aesthetic element in the re-packaging of the well-known traditional services is a central component of the building design. However, it is anachronistic that students and other users now have open access to the collections for the very first time in the history of the library (originally established in 1961). Most (not only university) libraries have opened their collections for browsing and easy access ages ago. Kunnskapsgartnerne AS Side 2

3 Obviously, with the renovated library buildings, the Arts Library has taken a major step in bringing it into the position of a front runner. The Arts Library is founded on the vision of an LRC. The innovative approach is the extensive use of state-of-the-art wireless access to the electronic library and communication services. The outline of the building space stimulates personal communication as well as colloquial and group discussions. The Knowledge Park Kunnskapsparken (The Knowledge Park) is located in the town centre of Drammen. It is estimated that the area will be fully developed by the end of next year. The municipality of Drammen has articulated a strategy for becoming a leading Norwegian city for education and research in a synergistic environment including business and local authorities. But the strategy is also to become a pleasant city for students and all others in which to live. Located just outside Oslo, the competition to become the preferred university college among students is hard. Ideally located on the banks of a river, the scenery is a plus for the city. The vision is to develop a rural area into an architectural pearl an ornament for the city. Thus, the Knowledge Park expands the aesthetic component found in the previous library buildings mentioned, from just one building to an aesthetic part of a city. Attractiveness is a major keyword. The Knowledge Park accommodates the libraries of the Buskerud University College, the local branch of the Norwegian School of Management, the public library of Drammen, and the Buskerud Regional Library. Other partners might enter the Knowledge Park and eventually incorporate their libraries or become extensive users at a later stage. The new library will constitute the heart of the Knowledge Park. The intention of the library is to build on the ideas of the LRC in a library environment of the future. Some of the old buildings in the area will be kept and restored as functional office buildings. New buildings will be built to a high architectural quality and in a modern design. The innovative approach is to be seen in the merging of both special and public library collections and services. The library will be open to the public as well as to students, researchers, and others. This hybrid library is the very first in Norway. A challenge is to establish new functional governing and steering bodies. Kunnskapsgartnerne AS Side 3

4 Facilitator for organisational change It is not every day that a completely new library enters the special library scene. The Norwegian State Housing Bank will open its first library ever in September this year, strategically located in new head office of the Bank also in the city centre of Drammen and close to the Knowledge Park. A cooperation agreement has been established with the library management of the Knowledge Park, e.g. regarding common ICT operational services. The cooperation will be developed further, also at the University College level. The Bank is going through a major change. New roles and functions for setting the terms for social housing politics, legislation, and policies are taking place. The new library was established with the purpose of supporting two main goals. The first is to facilitate access to relevant and updated information and knowledge resources required by the organisation while undertaking the major change operation, and for future organisational development. The second is to profile the Bank as an advanced centre of competence in its field. Thus, the library must operate in two dimensions simultaneously: internally as a vehicle for organisational development and change, and externally as an information centre for local municipalities, social housing builders, professional bodies, and anyone else who may be interested. To succeed, the focus will be on establishing, maintaining and delivering professional library and information services through a virtual library portal designed with the intention of being fully operated by the users themselves. The innovative approach is to be seen in the alignment of top management with their directives for the library to become a facilitator for organisational change and a new business profile. Valuing the library Students are voting for the library with their feet [1] seems to be the ideology behind the layout of the library of the Norwegian School of Management (BI). It is a library that all students would want to visit. The new LRC at the Nydalen Campus in Oslo has a very attractive location on the top floors of the new school building. Repeat: top floors - plural! The building itself is designed to provide an atmosphere inspiring for work and study. The aesthetic elements are clearly visible, for example by the use of bright colours, art work, glass walls, wide spaces, places to relax, socialise, read, and connect wirelessly to the Internet. The LRC is not integrated into the physical learning and study auditoria and rooms, as is often seen. The basic idea is that the LRC library is complementary to Kunnskapsgartnerne AS Side 4

5 the researching, teaching and learning processes, and consequently is a unique resource in itself. The planning team has brought the former library into the future knowledge production capability of the school without compromising the original idea of a library: to be a library. The vision was to build a power centre for students and anybody else requiring a stimulating and inspiring learning environment; and to build a showcase exposing BI as one of the most advanced knowledge and learning organisations competing globally. What next? A building is not something you finish. It is something you start [2]. So also with libraries. There will always be a next step. The developers and architects have been very creative. The vision from the librarians has been to create the library of the future. In the end, only the future will show how students, researchers and others will adapt to the new library layout and realise their potentials. [1] Sarah Michalak, Director of the Marriott Library [2] From Steward Brand (1995): How buildings learn, cited by Espen Andersen (BI). Karl Kalseth is managing director of the consultant company Kunnskapsgartnerne AS (The Knowledge Gardeners). He has written and edited several books on Document Management, Enterprise Content Management, and Information Management. He was former Vice- President of the International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) and chairman of its Information for Industry Committee. Kunnskapsgartnerne AS Side 5