While I was in Toronto, I thought I would do some additional research on a paper I am writing and knew that the University of Toronto Library would have what I needed. I used to visit Toronto a lot, as there is a large Latvian community and it had (and still has) the largest Latvian library in North America that I turned to for help in setting up the Latvian Studies Center Library. I used the University of Toronto Robarts Library on occasion, plus they microfilmed and then printed out on cards the whole card catalog of the Toronto Latvian Center Library for me. Since I had not been in Robarts Library for years, I stopped at the information desk to ask how I may use the library. First of all I had an interesting conversation with the librarian there about how the security measures had trickled up north from us, and that they too now had to provide information about what certain people were reading.
To use their computers, even to just search the catalog, I had to register for a password. On the first floor (of 13) there was a machine where you could swipe your ID. It didn't recognize my Michigan driver's license, but did take my credit card. Then it printed a small piece of paper with a username and password. I could now use one of only six computers designated for visitor use, four in the main reference area, two in the Slavic and East European Studies reading room. All were in use on a holiday (Victoria Day) Saturday afternoon. Luckily one of the reading room computers opened up pretty quickly, though at the other one the guy was snoozing most of the time.
I found what I needed, sent some articles to print, got a couple of call numbers. What I liked about their stacks was that the lighting was set up with motion censors. The main library building with the 13 floors is a triangle, with the tips of the triangles cut off - OK, it is a hexagon, but feels more triangular. The center area is full of tables and carrels for studying and well lit, but the perimiter contains rows and rows of shelves, color coded for each side of the triangle, and those are dark until you walk into an aisle. Sometimes I had to wave my hand to set off the motion detector. As I walked the aisles I noticed, that the lights went off pretty quickly in the other aisles. I liked this energy saver, but I understand it would be expensive to set up.
Then the printing. They have the same Pharos system as we do, though it lost two of the articles I sent it. I didn't pay attention on how many printing stations they had, but the main one was on the first floor. There was an employee stationed at the printing station to help people. One of the things they had was a visitor card. She had it hanging from her neck, and she gave it to me, so I could put on some money and make copies. Of course I didn't have any Canadian money on me. (I rarely exchange money when I go to Canada and expect to be ripped off half the time, but usually use my card, which does the proper exchange rate calculations.) Since the library cafe and other possible money changing places were closed on this holiday weekend, I had to go outside and buy a hot dog from the vendor and get Canadian money in change. Printing and copies 15 cents.
The first floor was mainly a large area with computers that was labeled as an information commons. It was elegantly set up with low level focused lighting and banks of computers in curves rather than straight rows. There were various service points, but I have to admit I didn't pay close attention to them - one was a loan (check out) desk, one was the printing station, one was a general info desk in the center by the elevators, and I think there was a media center and some other areas were closed off at this time. Reference was on the fourth floor.
I just think it is interesting to see what other libraries are doing. The things that I thought we might consider in our library were - a visitor copy card, stack lighting tied to motion censors (when we do our next remodel), if we go to logins on our computers, we have to make sure there are enough computers available for the general public, as I think we have quite a few users from the commmunity, and at times, like during the Medieval conference, we have many users at once. I did not like swiping in, it felt too much like Big Brother was watching me. Of course I keep wanting us to start the discussion on what an information commons would look like in Waldo Library.
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