ICML 2009: Continuing Education: Learning Space Design: Fitting Facilities for Today's Library Users

Presenter/s: Ms Janine Schmidt, Trenholme Director of Libraries at McGill University; and Hamilton Wilson, Wilson Architects

Biography: Janine Schmidt took up the position of Trenholme Director of Libraries at McGill University, Montreal in February, 2005.  She is responsible for the oversight of 13 branch libraries located at the downtown Montreal and Macdonald campuses, including the Life Sciences Library.   The Library employs 235 staff and has undergone considerable change in the last few years, with refurbishment projects covering most branch libraries.   Janine's previous posts include University Librarian at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and Director of Collection Services at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney where she was involved in significant library building design projects, including hospital libraries jointly managed with Queensland Health. Janine has published widely, made numerous conference presentations and been a consultant on library design projects in Australia and internationally.  She has also been a member of the Library and Equipment Section Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations.

Session: As the world goes digital, the use of the library's physical facilities is changing radically and rapidly.  The library may no longer be the physical or even spiritual hub of an organization but some physical presence is still required. Library design focused on housing collections and accommodating readers is changing fundamentally in response to new needs and new demands.  Legacy and heritage buildings present particular challenges.  The workshop will focus on principles of library design which seek to ensure that library facilities match the needs of today's users.  Some best practice approaches will be presented as well as ideas and examples of effective ideas and tactics to be adopted.  Simple strategies which can be adopted for small projects will be presented and discussed as well as big picture concepts. A case study approach will involve participants in developing approaches for their own situations or special needs.