Melissa Morrone | Brooklyn Public Library METRO Annual Meeting – January 15, 2013 Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons New space, new opportunities for Brooklyn Public Library

Opening…Today!

Central Library Vital Statistics Over 1 million visitors a year Over 1 million visitors a year Annual circulation of over 2.5 million items Annual circulation of over 2.5 million items 350,000 square feet 350,000 square feet 3,000 unique wireless visitors/month 3,000 unique wireless visitors/month 8 subject divisions 8 subject divisions Over 1,000 events/year Over 1,000 events/year 1 computer classroom and 2 public meeting rooms 1 computer classroom and 2 public meeting rooms

New Users, New Needs Freelancers, designers, and the creative economy Community college and distance learners Jobseekers Nonprofit and community based organizations

Responding to Users’ Needs Ample seating and electrical outlets Reliable wireless connectivity Meeting and study rooms Greater software options Training opportunities and other services s

Reimagining Service Models Apple Stores Co-working spaces Media labs Sources (clockwise from right): maebmij on Flickr, NYC Economic Development Corp., BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn

Information Commons While there is no one widely accepted definition of an information commons, generally it is a physical space that incorporates many workstations equipped with software supporting a variety of uses, offers workspace for individuals and groups, provides comfortable furniture, and has staff that can support activities related to access to information and use of technology to develop new products. -Joan Lippincott, “Net Generation Students and Libraries”

The Site

Popular Library (2008) Photograph by Gregg Richards

Leon Levy Foundation $100,000 planning grant $2.75M to fund construction $500K endowment for ongoing expenses Largest private donation in the history of Brooklyn Public Library

Matching Funds Info Commons technology is also made possible through: Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) New York City Connected Communities

Toshiko Mori Architect Design Rendering by Toshiko Mori Architect

Floorplan Seating and outlets for over 70 A 36-seat training lab 25 computer stations with advanced software 7 public meeting rooms A recording studio Reference and technology assistance

Meeting Rooms Can be reserved by the staff or public Private (transparent but semi-soundproof) 7 meeting rooms: Three 2-seaters (one doubles as recording studio) Two 4-seaters One 6-seater One 10-seater Flatscreen monitors and SMART Board

Training Lab 36 seats Flexible (no stationary desktops or carrels) Equipped with PC and Mac laptops Projector for facilitating instruction

New Hardware and Software Final Cut Pro X Adobe Creative Suite ProTools VideoPad WavePad GarageBand iMacs Macbook Pros video camera microphones audio recorder mixers

Classes, Workshops, and More Database Demos Intro to Basic Research Genealogy for Beginners Teen Tech Time DOE Trainings Intro to Digital Storytelling (BRIC) Digital Photo Enhancement (BRIC) NY Writers Coalition Workshops …and more!

Partnerships Public Library NonprofitsSchools City Agencies Volunteers Tech Sector Creative Community Library as: Neutral venue for governmental services Partner to schools Outreach site for nonprofits Community classroom and meeting space Exhibition hall

What Does This Mean for METRO? Refer your patrons to us Refer your patrons to us Teach/present in the lab Teach/present in the lab Use the space for professional development events Use the space for professional development events

Questions? brooklynpubliclibrary.org brooklynpubliclibrary.org