1. Internet Librarian International
2013
Managing the design and delivery of a new 20
million euro library building: why excellence
and innovation matter

2. Hugh Murphy and Mary Antonesa,
Senior Librarians at National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

3. €20 million or €20...
• The principles are the same
• The lessons we learned can be applied for
anyone in almost any context..

4. Session Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Background
Research Methods
Metrics
Innovation
Managing Excellence
Communication
Staff
Conclusions

5. National University of Ireland, Maynooth
• Library
• 9,000 students
• Humanities, Social Sciences, Theology and
Science and Engineering
• 25 kms west of Dublin

6. Background
•
•
•
•
•
•
Existing Building in place since 1984
Limited flexibility
Too small
No longer fit for purpose
Approximately 10 years in planning
20 million euro project

7. Research methods used to gather data
from library users
• Qualitative methods
• Mixed methods
– Quality Review
• Focus groups
• Interviews
– LibQual Survey
– Faculty Presentations
– Extensive Literature Review
– Site Visits

8. What did library users want?

9. More plugs

10. Green building

11. More study spaces

12. Eat and drink in the library

14. Group Study

15. Flexible learning spaces

16. Traditional Services kept

17. More computers
For what?

18. Innovation in the building
• Examples include:
– Touch screen tables
– Flat screen TVs for student use
– Electronic white boards
– Digital signage system

19. Aims and reality Managing excellence & innovation in:
• Collections
•
•
•
•
Prepare for death of print?
Prepare staff for death of print?!
Prominence to special collections
Ensure access to electronic
• Technology
• Facilitate Electronic
• Wi-Fi
• Mobile

20. Aims and reality Managing excellence & innovation in:
Research
•
•
Dedicated areas
Flexibility
Pedagogy
• Training rooms
• Flexibility
• Use the space to help teach and inform

21. Communication
Social Media
Traditional Channels
Users
Formal Committees
Librarian Updates
Staff
Regular updates
Regular meetings
Consistent message
Stakeholders

22. Facebook

23. Twitter

24. Library website

25. Staff
•
•
•
•
NEW BUILDING
Massive changes for staff!
New ways of working
Building gives us prominence
New building for our users
• Talk the talk
NEW STAFF STRUCTURE
• Massive changes for staff!
• New ways of working
• Staff keep us prominent
• Keep staff enthusiastic in
face of so much change
• Walk the walk

26. BECAUSE ONE SIZEABLE CHANGE IS
NEVER ENOUGH,
WE DECIDED TO CHANGE...
EVERYTHING...

27. From this....

28. ....to this...

29. (c) http://thinkjarcollective.com/

30. •
•
•
•
Are we excellent?
Existing Metrics
Entry statistics
Usage – physical and electronic
Enquiries – roving down, desk up
Project planned to tie together book
borrowing, PC usage, library entries and consider
how these impact on student experience
• Feedback
• Can we trust our feedback?

31. Conclusions
•
•
•
•
Building worth the wait
Building needs motivated staff
Good space + good staff = good job!
New structure very necessary to help
everyone
• Need more evidence
• Need to use our instinct too
• Principles involved are generally applicable

32. Thank you
Hugh.Murphy@nuim.ie
Senior Librarian, Collection Management Services
Mary.Antonesa@nuim.ie
Senior Librarian, Learning, Teaching and Research
Development