A small district in Any County, America, is changing the face of public libraries. Introducing AnyBookLibraries™, a new style of library that celebrates imagination, research and solitude. Studies have shown that people who are left alone quietly at their local library are less likely to become assholes and annoy others.
Recent changes to libraries have moved them away from physical books and into econtent. Downloadable materials dominated the menu of traditional library offerings; but AnyBookLibraries™ is willing to move forward to engage readers with solid, tangible, physical resources. Traditionally, libraries have been spending their tax dollars on materials their users couldn't even see unless they carried some electronic handheld device in with them. But the new philosophy surrounding the AnyBookLibraries approach gives readers a world of exploration that they experience with their senses, free of that expensive, electronic crutch.
The AnyBookLibraries™ model was designed to help libraries remain relevant by offering books to their customers. Books and books and more books. They offer programming around books, technology for improving access to books, and a "reasonably adequate" level of customer service so that everyone who walks into an AnyBookLibraries™ feels welcome, so long as they silence their phones, spray a little Febreze under their pits, and can keep their mouths shut.
Tripling overdue fines and teaching the Dewey Decimal Classification to the public are just some of the changes on the road to AnyBookLibraries. The next step in this revolution is the launch of the new brand, which represents the new library philosophy.
"AnyBookLibraries is a new style of library that offers memorable experiences linked to hundreds years of a tradition of paper-bound words and pictures for its customers," says the Library director The Effing Librarian. "AnyBookLibraries is a place where you can find more and more and more books. Any damn book you want. But you can't play video games, and if you try to download audio books to your iPod, a signal will make it explode. But if you want to read quietly by a fireplace and write notes in your journal, we have a pencil sharpener out in the lobby to help keep your mind sharp. And your pencil. Obviously. But I was trying to make a point. Pun intended."
Ripped off from this here news itemy thing found on LISNews:
Introducing Anythink, a New Style of Library
Playful, Imaginative New Look Symbolizes New Library Philosophy
DENVER--(Business Wire)--
A small district in Adams County, Colo., is changing the face of public libraries. Introducing AnythinkTM, a new style of library that celebrates imagination, play and interactivity. Studies have shown that people who have had transformative experiences at their local library are more willing to support them at the polls.The Anythink model was designed to help libraries remain relevant by offering more than just books to their customers. They offer innovative programming, technology, and the highest level of customer service so that everyone who walks into an Anythink feels welcome.
Eliminating overdue fines and switching from Dewey Decimal Classification to a word-based system were just some of the changes on the road to Anythink. The next step in this revolution is the Sept. 12 launch of the district`s new brand, which represents the new library philosophy.
"Anythink is a new style of library that offers memorable experiences and transformations for its customers," says Rangeview Library District director Pam Sandlian Smith. "Anythink is a place where you can find more than just books; you can play video games, download audio books right to your iPod, read quietly by a fireplace, or interact with information - not just be a passive recipient of it."
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Anythink is a new style of library - a place of unlimited imagination, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. Rangeview Library District serves the residents of Adams County with six Anythink libraries and Anythink in Motion - the district`s mobile library. Construction is underway on two new libraries scheduled to open in 2010. For more information, go to anythinklibraries.org.
