Week 3 Readings

The Quiet Plug Crisis by Michael Kelley

            The article discusses the issue many public facilities, such as libraries, have with meeting the demand for electricity. The article discusses the issue many people have with finding someplace to charge their laptop, iphone, and other electronics. To accommodate this new demand for plugs, the author discusses various initiatives to assist the people using the library and their expectations of finding plugs.

            I felt the article was valid because it does bring up the subject of the lack of plugs in public places. I normally did not have a problem finding someplace to charge my laptop or phone when going to the library, but I had many peers that did. It was especially difficult for them when midterms or finals happened, because everyone expected to stay at the library until closing and study like crazy. I do not believe the library is the only facility that faces this challenge. When I travel I will typically bring my laptop with me, it is disconcerting at times when I have a long layover and cannot find an outlet. I believe this is something that many public facilities are now faced with and trying to adapt to with the onset of new technologies.

A Whole Systems Approach by Rebekkah S. Aldrich

            Rebekkah Aldrich discusses the benefits of using an Integrated Building Design when considering the building of a new library. The focus of the article is placed on how collaboration between all the parties involved during the conception and finishing of the facility is an ongoing and continuous process. It is also important to note the philosophy of using such a building design is a philosophy rather than a specific way of approaching the building process.

            I believe the article raises some interesting and valid points on how to approach the building of a new facility, not just a library. A collaborative effort would be more beneficial in the long run because many people would then have a say in how to build the facility. While in my reference class last semester, the professor mentioned how he had been a member of a collaborative effort in the renovation of the library where he worked. He discussed how he and his fellow partners came to decisions about how to best meet the needs of the patrons not only through the architecture, but also through the use of light and the specific placements of the collections.

Shifting Spaces by Raya Kuzyk and Francine Fialkoff

            The article discusses the different issues of urban and rural development in seminar and responding to the needs of the user. Something that I really liked about the article was the inclusion of the various projects completed using a collaborative method. The methods and approaches I felt were interesting and important to see where people were able to agree on various points and show the physical changes that would take place. It was interesting to see how the seminar enabled various localities to use what was discussed and create their own interpretations. The different approaches enabled the user to visualize a concept and the benefits that would occur based on the collaboration and product of their efforts.