Thursday, 30 July 2015

Lecture Notes-Week 3/Other Research

I mostly took notes for the first one, but apparently we can just look on stream for those. The second lecture was more on inspiring us to just try things if you have an idea.

Scan didn't come out that clear so here's the summary:

-Pretty much "Fake it till you make it".
-As designers we can influence how people think and behave from what we make.
-Also, think about the Journey of the user (user experience), how they get from part A->B
-Don't focus everything on the visual but also the context (so focus on both)


So in class we decided on different areas to focus some study on, Here's my research on Digital space specific to WCL.


Library Research

Digital Space


Website


-The website is pretty simple and the things that matter are on the front page.
-The Website has a lot of content though when going through each link.

-Below is a site map of the website that I drew:




Online Database

-Mygateway.info:
-Has a long blurb on each book.
-Search through specific topics.
-There is a lot to read through but it gives a blurb sized amount
-There’s a good selection of different areas that they can search


Elibrary


They have 2 alternatives to search/borrow digital content such as ebooks and audio books:


The library has a camparision chart on Overdrive and Borrowbox.
http://www.wcl.govt.nz/downloads/bolinda-overdrive-comparison.html





















Overdrive:
-Search or listen to audio books.
-Has borrow or preview options



BorrowBox.com
-Preview option and reserve options available.
-Says if book is on loan/When available



Other Online Content:

-ZINIO Magazines:
Read magazines online or has the option to read offline with the Zinio App.



PRESSDISPLAY(Require library card login before able to view page):
Read local or international newspapers


Social Media


-Twitter:
https://twitter.com/intent/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen_name=wcl_library
Around 23.7k tweets, 3.226 followers

-Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wellingtoncitylibraries
Around 2,244 likes, 2,273 visits

Other ones are
Youtube
69 subscribers
Last Update 3 months ago
https://www.youtube.com/user/wclchannel?sub_confirmation=1

Flickr
52 followers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wellington-city-libraries

Tumblr
http://wellingtoncitylibraries.tumblr.com/

They have social media but they don’t really have a large fan base.

Increasing the popularity on their social media could help to encourage more people to go to the library. This is relevant to the age range around our ages.

-Sarah

Library Research

General Research on different areas

Just did general research on Libraries, the library and looked at absolutely positively wellington ads just get a vibe of what wellington is or is projected. 


Web

-Increased availability of electronic resources for more study options for both collaborative and individual work.

-Increased mobile access in libraries leaves some room for app/web development to make the library experience better.
-Over 7million internet sessions every year
-3.5 million visits annually to the central library web
-Social media aspect is Important to Website (They have a little presence but could make more relevant and filtering content to make it easier to use. Show book readings, workshops, smaller events happening at Library.
-Colours (maybe rework colours to be more appealing).

http://www.wcl.govt.nz/

-http://www.wcl.govt.nz/heritage/
a place to look up local heritage/history

-Possibly increase the use of LibraryElfwhich remind them that their books are due and thereby avoiding fines ensures the Library is accessible however this impacts on revenue targets.
http://www.libraryelf.com/Default.aspx

-Cloud storage to store all data from people of the public (accessible when needed).
-Create a way to Manage Content, Remember books that you like or might want to find again. 

-They have paid internet service so $1.50 per 15mins. It does get used but people tend to bring their own laptops.

Online Books

-"google it" aspect puts libraries under threat

-Ebook lending is popular. Hard copies becoming may become less popular.
-over 350,000 ebooks downloaded
 -E-books, e-Journals, streaming TV, digitized heritage, born-digital content. 
-The challenges are: purchase, accessibility and sustainability.

- know how to use the catalogue, how to identify a call number, how to find a book on these shelves.
-You can search the libraries’ online catalogues including books, DVDs and CDs 24 hours a day, check your library card, view lists of new items and find information on popular topics


Creating a Community


-Public libraries becoming content creators. Unique Local history content would be relevant to the community

-A good Library service is a positive experience for local people. 
Goals for a good library experience:
-A positive future for young people/ fulfill life for older people

-Promote local identity and community pride

-Learning, skills and workplace development (Free access to computers)

-Equality, Community/Sustainable Community (e.g book clubs, readings, connect with community and find things that interest you)

-Economic regeneration (book sales?When people spend ages looking for books and can't find it, Ultimately they decide to just buy it instead, coffee shop- how can it be brought into the library),
(Already Paid by public). Everyone pays for it so they might aswell use it. Access to a wide range of information. There's a coffee shop, can lounge and get work done in a peaceful environment and promote a productive experience.

-Workshops/Events/book clubs- Draw people who don't usually go to the library/Promote books.


-grow and develop young learners to be well informed, revolutionary, imaginative and critical thinkers.
-showcase the books, services and opportunities in a more user friendly manner, People being excited when they take a book off the shelf; download the latest magazine/thriller/real life experience; learn some new technique; be a part of a diversely cultural community or enjoy being amongst the various nationalities that visit the library.


Self Service/Personalize Experience

-More than 19million books issued through self service
-Consider print, ebook, access to data, API to library server


-Address noise issues, increase collaborative and individual spaces. e.g bean bags: make the space more comfortable/warm to work in. 
-Personalize experience
-Move tables to center and shelves around the outside.


-They have rooms that you can hire for a quiet study space (could be useful for tutoring, consulting or one on one meetings).


Spaces


-Change spaces such as help desk to a more open environment so people are more willing to go up and ask questions about a book or if they need help.

-The Library is like a community hub. People come to apply for jobs or seek jobs online, unwind with a good book or magazine, find somewhere warm/cozy, check facebook, research for school or university study, use the free wifi (Homesick backpacker) etc. 

-The recommended online resources at mygateway.info help library members to search authoritative databases and thousands of New Zealand and international newspaper and magazine articles on many topics.


References:

LIANZA (2015, July). Library Life. LIANZA, Retrieved from: http://www.lianza.org.nz/sites/default/files/Library%20Life%20436%20July.pdf

LIANZA (2014, July). Libraries in Aoetearoa New Zealand 2014. LIANZA, Retrieved from: http://lianza.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

History Of Library


-Found its place on corner of Mercer and Wakefield Streets and is funded by the ratepayers of Wellington through the Wellington City Council.

-Has 11 Branches, The smaller branches offer a smaller selection of books/services.

-Opened since 1841

-All Libraries provide:
-interloan and house-bound services
-a children's area
-membership services
-user pays for general internet use, for things such as search engines and email.

Architecture of Building


-The old building was the City Art Gallery, it become too small by 1980's to hold the collections and services the library had. Therefore the collections had to be spread over many locations in the city and some could not be displayed for the public.

-Current building was designed by Sir Ian Athfield (1940 - 2015)
-Incorporates aspects of accessibility, industrial design and the bold and extensive use of glass and water features.


-Incorporates modern design features such as the curving wall of glass facing Civic Square and the adjoining ponds. The surrounding colonnade and walkway offer inviting views of the interior.
-The floor to ceiling windows allow customers to enjoy reading or studying in the natural light.

- The unusual combination of indigenous and exotic elements in combination with modern marry well with the interior



References:
Wellington City Libraries (n.d). The Architecture of the Central Library. Retrieved from: http://www.wcl.govt.nz/about/branches/central/architecture.html


Wellington City Council (n.d). Libraries. Retrieved from: http://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/libraries


Absolutely Positively Wellington






-Sarah