Libraries and Space

 



     In several posts I have indicated that I am not in agreement with the tendency of  the Western Libraries to increase the space devoted to students and activities while reducing the area allotted  for books and periodicals. I have also pointed out that other university libraries are doing the same thing and another example is provided by the Robarts Library at the University of Toronto. Here is the recent headline in the University of Toronto News (Aug.28, 2018): “Library Spaces for Families, Reflection: Robarts Library is Constantly Finding New Ways to Make its Architecturally Stunning Space Work Better for the People Who Use It.” The article is like many others on this subject.

“Beginning this year, students, staff and faculty now have access to a newly renovated reflection room on the eighth floor. It's meant to be used for religious, spiritual and secular practices – including prayer, meditation, yoga and mindfulness – and comes equipped with yoga mats, prayer mats and meditation cushions and benches. There are even noise-cancelling headphones and iPods loaded with mindfulness meditations available on two-hour loan at the Course Reserves desk on the fourth floor.

Robarts is also home to a family study space – believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. The room, which opened earlier this year on the ninth floor, is designed to make life easier for student parents or faculty and staff with young children. For kids, the sound-proofed room comes stocked with toys like building blocks and plastic dinosaurs, as well as a screen for watching videos. For their parents, there are work stations, child-sized furniture and nearby washrooms with nursing and baby-changing facilities. “

     I suppose you are thinking that, if the ‘flagship’ university library system in the country is going in this direction, perhaps I should fold my tent and get out of the way of progress.  Actually, I don’t mind at all that the U. of T. is providing such space and who could object to making life easier for parents and their children. The space is on the 8th floor of Robarts and there are 43 other libraries in the U. of T. system, including the excellent Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. 

    The libraries at Western are somewhat shorter and fewer in number and some have closed and the bigger ones have been hollowed out. The space that remains should be for scholars and students who are studying, surrounded by the material they need and from which they can learn. Other activities would be better placed in the new Western Health and Wellness Centre which “will serve as "a single point of entry for health and wellness services on our campus." Western Libraries has more to offer than space.

Post Script

  I was pleased to see that the Western Libraries is honouring Barnett and celebrating books. For details see here. 

  I mentioned the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library and their website is well-worth visiting.

(One of their recent exhibitions was on: "Mixed Messages: Making and Shaping Culinary Culture in Canada."

If you are interested in Food History see my recent post on that subject.)