Free Library Inspiration Book

the common

Workshop

A workshop was held, inviting the community to express their interests regarding what the new Common should be.

The interactive event was focused around the three categories of spatial, experiential and service.

Collaborate/Work/Build

Personal Activities

Share/Learn

Special Events

The Common is a place for people to engage in hands-on activities, and meet other like-minded people to work with on projects.

The Common will be a place where people are matched based on topics they know with people who want to learn about those topics.

Participants still want conventional semi-private spaces in the Common to focus and work on their own.

Like parks or other public spaces, the Common will be available for larger events and purposes.

flexi

bility Spatial................................ p.10

The space of the Common can be partitioned and used by groups or by individuals, or cleared away to make room for activities that use the entire space.

Program............................. p.22

The activities and events that happen in the Common compose a dynamic mix of public requests for tutoring, skill shares, other educational activities, and library programs.

Infrastructure.................... p.34 Furniture and features enhance the Common’s flexible learning environment by being modular: walls, work stations, crates for equipment storage, shops, and forts.

spa

tial Some aspects of the Common resemble a coffee shop, a park, and a co-working space. There are areas for personal reflection and group collaboration, with ample natural light and plant life.

7

8

Installation by: Miler Lagos

prog

ram To create a twenty-first century learning environment, the Common serves as a place to match up instructors and teachers with those who want to learn about a variety of topics. The programming pivots on the communication and signage of the public’s requests and the learning opportunities provided.

19

infrast

ructure The activities of the Common are supported by a few important elements, including: storage facilities for markers, crafts, and other activity supplies minimize setup for groups; flexible signage publicizes what is happening and invites newcomers to join; and walls create some privacy and dampen noise, maintaining the autonomy and variety of activities.

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Project Credits

This book was produced by Kelly Babcock, Tian Cai, Nicolas Coia, Georgia Guthrie, Charles Lee, Jonas Milder, Dominic Prestifilippo, Matt VanDerTuyn, Alexandra Visconti, and Andrew Zahn in collaboration with the Free Library of Philadelphia. The images in this book are for educational use only, please do not reproduce.