Stay and Play: Create Open Library Spaces and STEM Material Collections for Play-Based Discovery Programming
Stay and Play: Create Open Library Spaces and STEM Material Collections for Play-Based Discovery Programming Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Idea Exchange , formerly known as Cambridge Public Libraries) serves a community of 133,000 people. They presented a talk about transforming their space, programs and collections to promote more play and discovery. "By changing one, we had to address all three." They asked questions like: "Do your programs have to be in the program room?" "How much space do your collections deserve?" Problem: Too much stuff "We have a different sort of lens when it comes to garbage... We wait for a day it can become a castle, a Minecraft program..." The problem is, "It's NOT OUR STUFF." The programming stuff only serves a purpose if it's used. Problem: Not enough space for program attendees They have 50 programs for children every week! Long lines, disgruntled patrons... (sound familiar?) They ha...