A popular browsing area is evolving into an important part of the library experience on the first floor of the Johnson Building. It had previously been referred to a “Space X” and the “living room.” The purpose of this space is to serve the reader, the lifelong learner, and the browser in a manner that the best bookstores have been so successful. It will be open and inviting, allowing easy flow between such spaces as the lobby, circulation services , and the other important services on the first floor such as Tech Central and the Training Lab.
Some key components to the successful deployment of this space include:
- Library services in the Johnson Building at a branch scale
- Engaging space with inviting street view
- Bookstore browsing experience
- New books on display, themed displays, popular collections
- New fiction and nonfiction, biographies, large print
- Open, engaging, strong merchandising component, continually refreshed
- Comfortable seating for reading and browsing
- Flexible space for author programming
- Staff and technology to engage readers with reading recommendations
- 3 – 4 public catalogs, 1 small staff workstation
Please let us know what you think about this evolving concept by commenting on this post, sending an email to compass@bpl.org, a letter to the BPL via 700 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116.
Tags: Back Bay, Copley Square