http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonylibrarian/3543889753/

First, let me say that I watch a lot of HGTV whenever I get the chance, so that’s where I’m coming from…

Ever since I witnessed first-hand the development of the Pittsfield Branch while working at AADL (check out my pics of their Traverwood Branch), I’ve been very interested in interior design in libraries.  One of the things I love about my new position is that I’m getting the opportunity to help design new library spaces. MPOW is just finishing some work in our Kids World section and now we’re starting the process of master planning our other public spaces, including a new teen space.

I’m stating the obvious here, but I think it’s so important for libraries to think about what their building designs are communicating to potential users. I know that when I’m in a well-designed, well-maintained library it makes a world of difference in how I feel about it. I imagine most people feel the same way and that they have a greater sense of pride about their local library if it’s beautifully and interestingly designed.

Fast Company‘s MOD (Masters of Design) section recently featured an article, “Super Style Me,” about the design efforts and philosophy happening at McDonald’s. Check out this excerpt:

“It’s a community center,” says Weil of the restaurant, meaning McDonald’s is one of the few places cheap and casual enough to be accessible to nearly everyone. “There are very few public places left where private things happen.” The restaurant in Oak Brook has been divided into four “seating zones,” each designed for a different activity — chilling out, working, casual dining, and group events. That each space also connotes a different maturity level that might lead to a specific menu choice is precisely the point.

Sound like anything else to you? Maybe a library?

So, what do you think is important in designing a library’s interior space? What elements would you include if you were starting from scratch? What are some libraries that have really impressed you with their design?

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

I saw this video and was interested in seeing more from the guy behind it, Jonathan Jarvis. Take a look at his other videos on Vimeo. I especially recommend his “Process as Drawing” series. Amazing!

Process as Drawing – 22 from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

This past Saturday, I took Abby, my daughter, to the Art Institute downtown to see the Edward Hopper exhibit (for me) and the Chris Raschka exhibit (for her). I got to see my favorite Hopper painting (New York Movie) in person and Abby got to see some original artwork she recognized from some of her favorite picture books. And though I was a bit nervous, I’m happy to report that she was great about not touching the pictures!

We had fun and it was so nice to just spend a slow afternoon wandering around the art museum and take in the city a little bit. The weekend before we went to Navy Pier and had a great time at the Children’s Museum and even took a ride on the Ferris Wheel (it was cold, but my daughter and I were both willing!). I’m starting to think that the benefits of living in the city just might outweigh the drawbacks. Suburban life is nice in some ways, but this long winter we’re having is reminding me how stifling the suburbs can be! I grew up in the suburbs for the most part, so I’m used to this life, but I’m not sure how much more of it I can take and I don’t know if I really want Abby to grow up in Suburb, USA. I don’t know if I want to look back at my life 30-40 years from now and think that I should’ve done things differently. I guess living in a suburb close to a big city is the one way of having the best of both worlds, but is that even enough? Maybe it depends on the suburb.

I’ve read some parental opinions, but I wonder how other people feel? Suburbs or the big city? Which is better? Do you agree that the suburbs are better for raising kids? Or do you think a vibrant, diverse city is the best environment for a family? Or is this just another one of those topics where there just isn’t a “right” answer?