libraries

We’ve expanded on Re-envisioning Branch Libraries to submit to the Knight News Challenge, “How might we make data work for individuals and communities?“

The Knight Foundation is hosting an open call for for ideas that use data to inform and empower people to make decisions about their lives and their communities, and they are offering grants to the winning submissions. With help from our teammates at METRO, Pratt’s School of Information and Library Science, and Office:MG, we plan to empower librarians to act as data interpreters, curators, and storytellers by extending Data / City tools and training.

Anyone is welcome to provide feedback, be it a comment or a like. We’ll have an opportunity refine our submission based on your ideas and questions. Read about our project here to share your feedback.

This week, Karen will be attending Re-think it: Libraries for a New Age in Grand Rapids. Catch her panel discussion with architects Tod Stevens of Stantec and Jefferey Scherer of MSR on designing libraries tomorrow at 8:45AM.

On Monday, January 12, Karen, along with James Lima and Leah Meisterlin, gave a follow up presentation of our Re-envisioning Branch Libraries proposal at The New School.

The full report is now available for download on the Architectural League of New York website.  The League has also posted a full video of the original presentations; be sure to check it out!

On Thursday, December 4, Architecture League of New York and Center for an Urban Future hosted presentations and panel discussions of the Re-Envisioning Branch Libraries studies.  Karen, along with James Lima and Leah Meisterlin presented our proposal to use data to inform system-wide policy and zoning changes, along with design excellence, to foster community enriching co-developments on new and existing library sites.

Our panel was made up of Vicki Been – Commissioner, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Michelle de la Uz – Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee, Mark Dempsey – President, Philip H. Corboy Foundation, David Kramer – Principal, Hudson Companies, and Brad Lander – Council Member, New York City Council.  The panel discussion was moderated by Jonathan Bowles – Executive Director, Center for an Urban Future.

Our proposal was also featured in the article, “Modern Public Libraries Might Help Renters Afford NYC,” by Brady Dale for Next City.

Karen, James, and Leah will be giving a follow up presentation on Monday, January 12, at 6:30pm, hosted by The School of Media Studies at The New School at the Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, in Arnhold Hall.  We hope to see you there!  And be sure to stay tuned for more news about Branch Libraries moving forward — keep an eye out for more #libraryideas on twitter!

Glen Oaks Branch Library has received The American Architecture Award 2014, presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design as well as The European Centre Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.  This is Marble Fairbank’s fifth American Architecture Award.

An exhibition of the 2014 American Architecture Awards will be featured at The Istanbul Design Biennial in Turkey from November 1 – December 14, 2014.  Additionally, Glen Oaks will be featured as part of a traveling exhibition, “The City and the World Exhibition,” on display at Contemporary Space Athens in Greece, Spring 2015 and at The Chicago Architectural Biennial, September 2015.

Stay tuned for more details regarding these exhibitions!