REdesign Workshop at WAM to Discuss Future of Libraries

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

REdesign is a thought-intensive workshop designed for the whole community.

What if you had the chance to hear the best in the business opine about how libraries will look in the future? Beyond how the books and information will be displayed, this will be a discussion in how communities meet, study and interact in public spaces.

On May 3, the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) will host a thought-intensive workshop called, “REdesign” where experts representing libraries, architecture and online communities will exchange their best ideas about the future of library design and public engagement needs. The public is welcome to attend the free session from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

What is REdesign?

“REdesign is a new approach to provocative dialogue at the Worcester Art Museum,” said Adam Reed Rozan, director of audience engagement at WAM and member of the "REdesign" panel.

“Anyone can be a part of the discussion via Twitter or by attending the workshop. By facilitating a scholarly and interesting discussion among experts, WAM hopes that people will gain an insider perspective of the niche field of library design.”

Throughout the day, the focus will be on the future of library spaces and how they can be used more progressively, effectively and efficiently. Event panelists include Matthew Battles, principal at metaLAB; Michael Edson, director of web and new media strategy at the Smithsonian Institution; Jeff Goldenson, co-organizer of the Library Test Kitchen at Harvard University; and Adam Reed Rozan.

Importance to the Community

"Libraries and museums have much in common. Both play a vital role in the community. Both are places of learning, activity, and dialogue. In many ways, both help to connect us to our past, present and future," says Rozen.

"However, at the same time, museums, libraries, and other cultural and learning institutions are going through an amazing amount of change. Nationwide, our organizations are being forced to ask difficult questions about our collective futures, such as how people will utilize these resources and what role and function will they continue to serve. To that end, what better way to solve these questions than by opening the dialogue up to our many audiences. Hosting this event gives our community the chance to come together, to be inspired and excited, and to think deeply about the many initiatives that the fields of libraries, education, museums and working spaces are undertaking. For WAM, it’s also about learning what the right questions are to ask in terms of thinking about our library and the purpose of libraries in general."

The discussion will be moderated by renowned architect Kulapat Yantrasast, founding partner and creative director of wHY Architecture.

For those who cannot attend the conversation in person, key messages will be posted in real time on WAM’s Twitter account (@worcesterart), accompanied by illustrations by artist Jamie Buckmaster.

All Are Welcome

All members of the Worcester community are encouraged to participate in this important discussion.

"Worcester is the nucleus of many cultural conversations, and what happens here can will inspire others. The museum is also an enormous resource for the university community and the Worcester community at large. Building upon the strengths of the museums builds upon the strengths of the city. We also want our community to know that the conversation is not over, but has just started," Rozen remarks.

For more information about the free seminar, call (508) 799-4406 or visit http://www.worcesterart.org