The Seattle Public Library Jessica Hinkson Desmarais But
The Seattle Public Library Jessica Hinkson Desmarais
But First…a Challenge Match the Number with the Factoid A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. 40 699 26 236, 776 1 M 2 M 43 M 196. 4 M __ Approved amount of “Libraries for All” bond measure __ Number of staff members __ Annual operating budget __ Library holdings __ Total number of branches __ Total square feet in library system __ Length of main reference desk, in feet __ Number reference questions answered in ‘ 06
Survey Says… A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. 40 699 26 236, 776 1 M 2 M 43 M 196. 4 M H. Approved amount of “Libraries for All” bond measure B. Number of staff members G. Annual operating budget F. Library holdings C. Total number of branches D. Total square feet in library system A. Length of main reference desk, in feet E. Number reference questions answered in ‘ 06
“Our mission is to become the best public library in the world by being so tuned in to the people we serve and so supportive of each other's efforts that we are able to provide highly responsive service. ”
SPL 101 • The Seattle Public Library = – – Central Library 26 neighborhood libraries Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Mobile Services • 699 staff members (537. 95 FTEs) • Library holdings: >2 million items • Circulation (2006) - 8, 661, 263 – – 3, 151, 840 adult books 1, 613, 979 children's books 3, 895, 444 media WTBBL - 570, 316 materials • Patron visits: 6 million in person, 4. 6 million virtually • Operating budget: $43 million • Central Library is jawdropping – Designed by Rem Koolhaas (no kidding. ) – “Green” design, user-friendly – Advanced RFID system for sorting: able to process 1, 200 items per hour
SPL 101, cont. • SPL – “Strong tradition of reaching out and serving all members of the community. ” • 1998 - Seattle voters approved “Libraries for All” bond measure • $196. 4 million • Improvements to all branches • Includes 5 new branches, brand new Central Library… • …which opened in 2004 • Expands total area by 82%, 236, 776 sq. ft. compared to: – Denver Public Library: 22 branches total 190, 742 sq. ft. – San Francisco Public Library: 26 branches total 150, 947 sq. ft. – Vancouver Public Library: 21 branches total 126, 000 sq. ft.
Community Touchstone • Service is unparallelled – Site offered in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, & Russian) – Library Equal Access Program (hearingimpaired) – Literacy, ESL collection, outreach, conversation groups – Non-resident cards: $55/yr • Special collections are numerous – Seattle Collection (local history) – Genealogy Collection – Aviation History Collection (aviation birth to present, esp. 1930 -1950) – Washington Author Collection – African-American Collection (focus on history, esp. in Northwest) • The Washington Center for the Book – Celebrates written word, exchange of ideas – One of 50 state affiliates of Ctr for the Book in the LOC – Nancy Pearl (NPR, Book Lust) exec. Director 1993 -2007 (retired)
Building Concept Source: http: //seattletimes. nwsource. com/news/local/library/graphics/concept. html
Books Spiral • 2 degree gentle ramp, one continuous run • Organized by Dewey Decimal system • Each floor features a staffed “reference service point” • Large, clear numbers on floor (movable) • Library only half-full
Reference Services • Starts on level 5 • 19, 500 -square-foot Mixing Chamber termed “trading floor for information” • Silvery, high-tech • 145 computers for public use (can reserve online) • Data-driven art installation/display shows titles checked out in past hour • "The concept is to try to show what the community is thinking based on the flow of books leaving the library. ”
Reference Services • Mix old & new tech: dumbwaiter and wireless headsets • Serve public as a team • Main reference desk in Mixing Chamber (offices behind) • Bi-level service counter (for standing or sitting, as is comfortable for patron) • Call button to summon add’l staff; call button to summon police • 40 -foot-long reference desks - service points in same spot on all four levels of the Books Spiral (6 -9) • Accessibility – will help anyone; email, chat, phone, in person
Reference Services • Uses Question. Point 24/7 Reference Cooperative – int’l partnership of >1, 000 public libraries, answer questions in shifts • Ask A Librarian e-mail forms: adult, children & teens • Live reference links, partnerships w/ special libraries; gardening (!), legal, and health via consortium • Online “reference desk” (e. g. ready reference links) rivals Internet Public Library • “Quick Facts” – SPL’s version of FAQs, with sources • Library card required for some databases • >1 M reference questions answered ‘ 06
Sources & Links for Further Reading • The Seattle Public Library site – http: //www. spl. org/ • George Legrady – reference installation – http: //www. mat. ucsb. edu/~g. legrady/gl. Web/Pr ojects/spl. html • SPL Audio for Library Professionals – http: //www. spl. org/default. asp? page. ID=collecti on_podcasts_libraryprofessionals • History of The Seattle Public Library – http: //www. spl. org/default. asp? page. ID=about_ history_history • The Seattle Times - detailed stories, photo galleries, graphics – http: //seattletimes. nwsource. com/news/local/li brary • Nancy Pearl reviews books on NPR – http: //www. npr. org/templates/story. php? s tory. Id=6395311 • Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists conference…Seattle in May! – http: //salis. org/conference. html
Come visit in May!
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