SHOW ROOM
The library as a physical space is always connected to another place. We see it as a place for experiences, and it affects us like a show room. That is to say, that we would like to promote our library through its very attractive architecture and for instance, the feeling you might get from the haptic ambience and the infrastructure, which you would not find at home.
At the same time, our main floor should remain fresh through alternating exhibitions and be changed around from time to time because of special cultural events. This can ward off too much routine and keeps the library interesting and inviting for regular users and visitors.
Showroom effect
Lecture room
You can find this approach if you look at our technical equipment, for example, in our group work and presentation rooms, which supports the learning process of our students.
Last year the lecture room was equipped with a smart board with internet access as well as with practical, comfortable and most important flexible furniture, including LED light fixtures. This redesigning led to an increased usage of the rooms from 70% to nearly 90%.
Interactive components
Near the information desk at the start of 2013 the first multi-touch screen became operative. It can be used in many different ways. If not used by our students, it is mostly used as advertising space with references to upcoming events and visualization of the occupancy rate of the group work rooms. For this device the feature of 3D visualization of the library, including points of interest, was specially developed. Furthermore, based on that visualization, a special search system for printed books is available. The multi-touch screen is also used during tours through the library, to advertise our different diversity of information. Especially for improvised, spontaneous tours of small groups the multi touch has proved itself useful. These tours are often carried out with the help of audio guides or tablets. The latter can be borrowed at the information desk.
Virtual Exhibitions
Technical infrastructures were built to keep some exhibitions alive after closure. An example for that would be the exhibition of “Zukunftsbilder” with the works of refugee children,which is hosted by the association “refugium Magdeburg e. V”.
Quiz Platform
The website, www.timoschlaurier.de is a quiz platform, which came into being through the children’s book printed for the annual seminars for children at the university. If you answer the question about the library archives (spelling rules) then you can receive a trophy and you can listen to one of Pepper’s jokes. Just try it.
