Java in the Library: Upgrading the Academic Experience - Assignment Example

Java in the Library: Upgrading the Academic Experience Mark E. Charlesworth The of La Verne Senior Seminar Focus Group Java in the Library: Upgrading the Academic Experience The caf experience takes on a number of roles in society. For the obvious purpose, the caf acts as an establishment to serve and sell refreshments, the staple product being coffee. It is also a sanctuary to study, meet with people-business associates and friendly acquaintances-some cafs offer wireless internet access, and others offer food. In essence, the caf shares paralleling attributes that the library may possess. Like the caf, people often use libraries to study or meet with colleagues, whether they are academic or business summits. These parallels lead to question the benefits of conglomerating the two public entities into a community-unifying center. Such a center would comprise of the serenity of a calm environment while also providing the rejuvenating refreshments that often correlates with a hassle-free refuge as a necessity for academic or professional research. Of course, the goal of combining the library/caf institutions would be to increase attendance to both the establishment and the downtown community. Like any business, a survey of current customers, i.e. readers/researchers, along with potential attendees must be taken into account if this establishment is ever expected to thrive. Therefore, samples of both categories of people were surveyed to answer the caf/library proposal. The first category of people were provided by Tony Barnett and library staff to meet an established criteria of frequent users, ages ranging from thirty to fifty years. Category number two is composed of individuals solicited by researchers that reside or are employed within a one-mile radius of the downtown area. These individuals are also within the thirty to fifty age ranges. With these candidates, the survey brings the opinions of both current attendees and very potential attendees. To better understand these candidates and their aspirations for the library, they were asked their own personal reasons for utilizing the library. Responses were various to include matters like researching, enjoyment, a place to bring children, internet accessibility, to save money, to utilize a silent environment, the abundance of informational resources, and for the programs any given library often offers. The fundamental purpose for any library will naturally be maintaining and offering informational resources. This correlates with the need to research and the quiet setting to achieve such a goal. Internet accessibility can also be paralleled with informational resources as the internet is perhaps the most modern and rising form of informational media. In fact, many libraries use the World Wide Web as a basis for cataloging the entire inventory of literature they may preserve. Accessibility to the internet in conjunction with the entire stock of literature allows people to save money on internet bills and book prices. Without this free access to media and literature, the general public would lack an overall ability to be successful, free-thinking citizens. And of course, there are the children to take into consideration, a population with the highest need of informational as well as imaginative enlightenment. Though schools are the primary establishment ordained to teach children, it is the library that allows for independent study in any field a pupil may deem fascinating. Without the library, the supportive ammunition essential to education would be seriously hindered. In essence, libraries are the pillars of the American educational system and still they remain the preserving force of all human knowledge. The question that comes to bear is how to reinforce these pillars: how can the library improve This question was bestowed to both groups and again a variety of responses were given. The primary concern of group one can be summarized as a need for a more interactive and educational friendly environment. Libraries typically condone a policy of silence for researchers and readers. Though this policy should not be disputed as a negative guideline, certain aspects of creative and educational services may be stalled as a result. A primary example is the problem of occupying children while adults proceed with their personal dealings. Group one suggested on focusing on an expanded computer area and classrooms that may be offered to children as a way to occupy their youthful appetites. The expanded computer center would obviously be open to any age group, but would also act as an engaging force to quell any sort of childish commotion. In conjunction with an interactive electronic distraction, a separate classroom offered at daytime along with night hours would benefit to occupy and educate children. After all, children tend to have a lower tolerance for inactivity and need an interactive base to help subdue any procrastination or agitated behavior. Which then leads to another suggestion brought up by group one: maintaining a separated, perhaps soundproof, multipurpose chamber to meet the more creative aspirations of children and adults alike. This room would have no carpet to speak of and movable walls to better divide the area for all of the unique purposes that could be implemented. Clean up would be easy since there is no carpet, and installing sinks was suggested for artistic endeavors such as painting, sculpting, drawing, etc. Classrooms could also be included to meet academic demands. If the area were to be sound proof, children could utilize the room as a place to listen to music, watch videos, and relax while adults continue their personal business in a more silence is golden arena. In essence, this chamber would act as an art room, a classroom, and a playhouse for children. Another suggestion included in the survey of group one was maintaining a day-care center for mothers who needed to work or research at the library. The day-care center would be free or fee based, the group did not petition a preference. Since this recommendation is heavily related to the types of activities that would be implemented in the multipurpose room, it is simple to combine the two suggested areas into one room, whether they are to be separated by movable walls or not. Occupants residing in this multipurpose area are very likely to be children. This knowledge exposed another proposal for more adult matters. Outside of business duty hours leaves many people without access to faxing or copying machines. Though many businesses maintain such office equipment, the off hours may prove difficult for a person to complete professional undertakings, whether it be preparing for a business presentation or faxing a resume to a job opportunity. Thus, group one recommended installing a business solutions center that would maintain items like a copy and fax machine. This area could also include a business library with various business periodicals for easy access. A professional setting like this would help people save money on subscriptions or copying fees, assuming that any charges for these uses remain competitive with local businesses that already offer these services. Unlike local business, however, the library would still be available for any other research needs, thus encouraging attendees to remain inside the complex. The final suggestion listed by group one was to invest in a bookstore. No preference was volunteered on whether it should be a used or new bookstore, though it is assumed that these books would be cheaper than those sold in a more commercial setting. This is of course the opinions of group one and do not necessarily coincide with the conclusion of the survey. Additionally, this particular recommendation was only supported by one individual and may not represent the entire group. The second group in the survey did solicit more suggestions, though some similarities with the former remain. One proposition was a sort of entertainment area where individuals could showcase monologues, poetry readings, and music. This idea, again, is an item that may be considered for the multipurpose room, assuming it was a sound proof area of course. Correlating to the business solutions proposal, group two also recommended a public information center be established. A public information center would be able to provide for community outreach, tax preparation, defensive driving courses, and education on health insurance. The concern is to have simple consumer knowledge reside in a central location with easy accessibility. This center would also be more interactive, making items like taxes and health insurance easier to digest. Such an instillation may also be combined with the business solutions center, understanding that many of the consumer and business needs are almost akin. It could serve as a great location to fax a resume and prepare taxes at the same time, to list one example. Paralleling with a public outreach center, one individual offered the idea of reserving an area outdoors for speakers. This area could have benches and gardens to add to the scenery so that an audience could relax while a speaker makes a presentation. Such an area could also be ideal for the entertainment area since it would be segregated from the interior of the library. State and local government officials could also utilize this area as a podium for speeches or meetings. Thus, transforming the library into a type of reception locale for the downtown area. Of course, this proposition, like the rest, would require further research and is not necessarily concrete plans, but rather a thorough survey of the community's thought-process. What is recommended to meet the community's demand is to have the new expanded and relocated library offer non-traditional hours and interactive community related activities. These items include offering some sort of youth area, an expanded availability of computers, considering the prospect of a multipurpose room, expanding its continuing educational classes, and considering a centralized location for community information and events. When the survey came to question both groups on the prospect of installing a caf, the groups were in total agreement with such an idea. The survey demonstrated that a coffee shop would establish a healthy synergy with a downtown library. It would act as a comforting and inviting area where patrons could read books or periodicals while enjoying refreshments not generally granted in the downtown area. In addition to this, group two claimed that a new library-caf would encourage the downtown economy by attracting more people to the area. A vast amount of bookstores already offer full service cafs, so it is only logical to assume that people would encourage a library to also maintain a caf for the attendees. What both focus groups envisioned was a full service caf that would include a variety of beverages from traditional coffees to espresso based drinks. The groups also proposed a limited food service that most generic cafs offer as well. Due to the demand for a quick snack on the go or a quick breakfast, it was suggested that the food offered would be small breakfast and lunch meals in nature. This would give the downtown community more opportunity for recieving daily meals since it is agreed by both groups that food service is in a high demand, while at the same time, under-supplied in the downtown area. As for what specific refreshments should be offered, both groups agreed that local food items should be included. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water were listed for the recommended menu. Chocolate, smoothies, milk shakes, cider, and lemonade were also offered as possibilities. There was also one suggestion for serving alcoholic beverages, but since this is merely one individual's idea with no other support from the general survey, it should not coincide with the survey's concluding recommendation. Food listed in the survey to be served included, sandwiches, salads, chips, potatoes, yogurts, and fruits. The typical quick lunch foodstuff. Each group also suggested that many of the items be considered finger foods. Local bakeries could provide muffins, bagels, and any other finger breakfast food. A desert menu was also assembled to include ice cream, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, and pastries from the local bakery. A light or healthy menu was also suggested, though no specifics were listed. What the caf should serve are multiple beverages, local bakery offerings, finger foods, quick lunches, finger deserts, and a health menu as well. The recommended prices charged for products served at the caf did vary somewhat between the groups. Group one, the frequent library attendees, supported a price no higher than one dollar for beverages. The second downtown group was willing to place a price limit of up to three dollars. The overall price range for food was one dollar for cookies, to a high end of six dollars for salads. For sandwiches, the survey suggested a price range from three to five dollars. What is recommended is to have drinks range from seventy-five cents to three dollars. Cookies should be on a dollar target while no more than five dollars be charged for sandwiches and no more than six dollars for salads. In conjunction with actual product, the caf may also consider selling or offering periodicals to the light reader. Understanding that the caf is technically connected to the library complex, it would not be difficult to provide for the light reading material. What is only needed now is a design plan for the caf itself. The actual structure of the caf was envisioned to at least incorporate an outdoor portion. This would help maintain cleanliness in the library itself and provide for robust scenery for the downtown dwellers. It would also be self-advertising for the caf and thus attract more people into the library. The second group expanded on this proposal by recommending that the existing alleyway between the building and the parking garage act as a natural location for this outdoor space. This area would be shaded with a few plants and lead directly into the entrance of the coffee shop. Eventually, the consensus from both groups was that the caf itself be an entirely separate building from the library, with the consideration of an atrium or rooftop concept. This would ensure that messes from food and drink are completely separated from delicate items within the library itself. It would also give the caf a down-to-earth aura. This down-to-earth outlook brings up the next subject of whether the caf should be owned by a franchise or a private business. In an overwhelming consensus by both groups, it was claimed that a franchised-owned caf would not be welcomed in the downtown area. It is believed that the downtown area is a center for private businesses to thrive and a franchise within the confines of the downtown library sends a message of distasteful consumerism. A privately owned caf is believed to bring about a more welcoming impression to the library and to the community. Hiring local chefs was also suggested to man the caf. If that is improbable, it was also recommended to consider volunteers to run the shop. In either case, the shop can not be owned by any franchise. Corresponding with the local friendly business owner proposal, the interior-design of the caf comes into play. What the survey recommends is that the caf must remain a comfortable place that portrays various dcor. Installing many windows was also suggested to bring in the fresh sunlight. In essence, it was said that the coffee shop should have an un-commercial ambience. When patrons enter the caf, they should feel as though they are in a classic mom and pop shop. A place that gives off a very down-to-earth impression. The groups also recommended that a children's area be considered for the caf. In either case, it should be very family oriented. This type of design and ownership will be instrumental in attracting people to the caf, the library, and the downtown community. When asked of the types of services that should be offered at the caf, however, the surveyed groups did not hesitate to offer more contemporary suggestions. For instance, both groups believed that a wireless computer access would be a preference among many patrons. Such a recommendation could solve the demand for expanded computer access as previously suggested. The groups also proposed to reserve a children's area for the professional parent. This too, could help quell the demand for a separate children's area in the library itself. Unfortunately, the combination of computers access, beverages, and children could result in untidiness and electronic difficulties within the caf. To resolve the dilemma, it is recommended to have wireless internet access for those patrons who can bring in their own laptops and to conservatively isolate the kiosks from the children section. Relating with separate areas within the caf, it was recommended that the coffee shop embrace a study area as well. A study area will allow for patrons to keep free of the chatty commotion of talkative coffee drinkers. It would also act as a buffer from energetic children. Spillage would be kept to a minimum within the library: students and researchers would not be tempted to bring their beverages outside the parameter of the caf. To go along with the previous ideas for allowing more creative artists display their talents, the groups discussed the possibility of having a forum. This would feed the community's appetite for more cultural events such as poetry readings or musician performances as well as encourage creative expression in the downtown community. To further attract the maximum amount of demographics, the groups also suggested a public service area within the design schematics. This design could be included into the forum for public announcers, job recruiters, or any number of public servers who may request an audience. To promote further caf/library attendance, the survey shows a concern for attracting the more seasoned of patrons as well. According to the survey, it is recommended that a game room be included in the caf. This game room would compose of items like chess and checkers. Board games typically found in parks would encourage the more mature citizens to attend the caf and perhaps the actual library. Since group one composes of frequent library patrons and their ages range from thirty to fifty, it is logical to assume that retirees and elderly are not usually inclined to visit the library. With inviting games, the caf and the library can tap into a new source of demographics. To survey a helpful timeframe for all demographics, the groups were asked what hours of the day the caf should operate. The consensus among both groups was that the caf should open early enough for breakfast. This will provide for people who use coffee to help wake up as well as nourish any patron who is looking for a quick muffin breakfast. The agreed upon opening time for the caf was six o'clock in the morning. The survey also suggests that closing hours should mirror the library's closing hours. However, the groups also discussed the possibility of having later hours. They advised that the caf may be conservative with operating hours in the beginning of the caf's establishment, but that it may also expand on operating hours if it were economically feasible in the future. This would allow for many of the creative forums to take place during non-business hours as well. It also gives a chance for people to continue studying if the library cannot afford nontraditional hours. In conjunction with this, the groups preferred that the caf stay open on the weekend and possibly Sunday if it is feasible. These hours will give flexibility to the patrons and increase the expected demographics. It will pick up where the library leaves off. With all of these suggestions listed, there is no doubt that a caf has serious potential in the growth of the new relocated library and for the general downtown community. Though the library itself is a tribute to academic and research performance, there is always a way to improve upon a vital institution. A caf will only help meet the demand of the general public. It will provide for common refreshments along with quick meals for the downtown community where such demand is high. It will be physically segregated from the library in order to ensure a serene view as well as minimizing messes in the library. A separate child's area, study lounge, and game room will allow for various people to attend the caf including single mothers, students, children, and seasoned citizens. The design and ownership will coincide with a general sense of un-commercialized pleasantness. It will also radiate an aura of culture for the downtown area with forums for public announcements and poetry readings. Indeed, the prospect of installing a caf, given the recommended designs, will only result in further prosperity for the community. This caf will be the next stepping stone that upgrades the library institution. Read More