Mediatheque

Many libraries are morphing into multimedia centres or mediatheques unfortunately these new media centres are not ambitious enough.

This blog is an attempt to describe a better mediatheque ,one in which allows the community to come to read, write, listen, watch, talk, learn, play, create and relax within one building. Mediatheques will have the traditional library room where the space will not pretend to be anything except a space filled with books, here you can take a book and read in the relatively quiet library room. Adjoined to the library room are reading rooms and writing rooms for those that want a smaller room in which to study or read without the distraction of others.

The use of the internet is now common within libraries, internet computers will not be within the library room but given a space perhaps on the ground floor near the café and communal spaces. Other computers for writing and researching will be provided in quieter surroundings elsewhere within the building.

Music and film can also be found in today’s libraries, Mediatheques will have rooms for watching films and listening to music. There will also be music rooms with instruments to use for practicing and developing musicians, recording studios will be available, teachers available to teach not just how to play but how to produce, edit, dj. Similar areas will be available for making films and equipment available. Teachers would teach how to use the equipment and about all areas of film such as editing, cinematography, producing and directing.

Mediatheques will help recreate places for communities to come together. There will be a café and canteen where people can relax. Parents could come and chat to their friends while there children learn the guitar or what the latest Toy Story in the cinema rooms. Men and women could come and play chess or cards in the games rooms. Local groups and associations could meet in the conference rooms.

Mediatheques will be free allowing everyone to be able to benefit from the services provided. Staff would supervise and teach new users about how to use and respect the equipment  and also the consequences of damaging any of it. Local policemen and community support officers would take the role of security guards so that the community get to know their local policemen and through increased contact become more comfortable to engage with them and respect them.  Interaction between staff, users – both young and old –, police and other community figures within one place would form a more active and better community.

I understand why libraries are trying to update themselves to meet the needs of modern people but if they are going to do this then why not be more ambitious and try to make a difference to community life and become Mediatheques.