Palo Verde Library is a new library in an older area of Phoenix. It is in the same complex as a leisure centre. The library was packed with people the afternoon I visited it. I did not take photographs in part of the library as there was no way I could do this without being totally intrusive. It was great to see the library so well used. It is another really lovely library in Phoenix.
This photograph shows the drive by returns area and window which you can use to talk to library staff, without leaving your car. It is a lovely colour.
A three step reading program was being promoted. This was a Phoenix wide program to teach children to read and was targeting parents of small children.
This shows the sky lights in the library - it was lit this way, and the light levels were impressive. I had not realised they were skylights as they look like lights. This is an interesting design feature. The flying book sculpture is at the entrance to the children's collection and service area.
Desert Broom Library is another impressive library in the Phoenix Public Library system. The Desert Broom Library was designed with a great big verandah on one side so that there could be large windows with a view. Large windows need shading in the Arizona climate. The dense landscaping also helped provide some shading for the building as well.
This next photograph shows the entrance to the library, the very beautiful bars which are used to define space, and the wall of glass which is well protected by a deep verandah.
This photograph shows the enclosed outdoor space, looking out. I visited on a warm day, and the temperature in the shaded outdoor area was very pleasant and people were using the space for reading and computer use.
The mesh shown on the right of this next photograph was soft and mobile (I accidentally bumped into it). It was not a rigid surface, but provided a visual divide not a hard barrier. The library featured colourful, comfortable seating and was being visited by whole families as well as individuals, to enjoy the space, services and collections. The library spaces were being very well used. The self check units were in constant use from people borrowing from the collection, and there was interesting library programming.
This rippled shelving may have been designed to reflect heat hazes in the desert, or simply because it looked great. This was the side of the library with low windows. You can also see some of the very interesting roof detail. The ripples on the roof seemed to reflect the movement of some desert animals.
When you are driving (walking or cycling) up to Agave Library this sign stands out blocks away. It helps build a sense of excitement about visiting this library because this is a very dramatic library sign. The sign is also welcoming, because you are coming to the library, this building which is making a statement is open to you, for free. You can borrow items, you can use databases and other online resources, you can participate in library programming, use computers, collaborate, read...the list really goes on and on. This amazing, beautiful space is yours, and it would be an incredible library to have as your local library.
Parts of the interior have an exposed, industrial look (as you can see in the ceiling here), and this works really well. There is great use of colour (such as in the non-rigid divider), with seating, and with this shelving (below).
It was great to see agaves featuring in the landscaping (reflecting the library name)
and lovely outdoor spaces for the library as well
The library was obviously very well used, with people using the spaces in many different ways. I visited the library shortly after it opened for the day, and already many people were making use of the spaces, and there was a packed children's event in progress.
For some areas I did not take photographs because of the number of people using the library (as I did not want to intrude on their experience of their space - I was being a library tourist, this was their library).
This is one of the most exciting libraries I have ever visited, because of how people were using the spaces, and because of the space and design. It was a very beautiful library and it was a highly functional library. It is one of several exciting libraries which I visited (while on holidays) in Arizona.
Have a look at some of the photographs I took when I visited this very popular and well used library.
You can see the whole set of photographs I took (or you can look at them here to read the descriptions as well).
I recently read Sunken treasure by Wil Wheaton.The whole book is an amazing read, but I just want to focus on part of it, the Criminal minds production diary.This account provides some great ideas about what makes an effective, high performance, creative and enjoyable workplace.This chapter highlights the importance of teamwork, collaboration, creativity, openness, generosity, respect, organization and fun.The success of television programs like Criminal minds is that they are very effective collaborations, and even with big name stars, it is not all about them, but about how everyone working together can produce an excellent piece of drama.Collaboration is effective as it produces very exciting outcomes.
It is also great to read Wil Wheaton’s account of having to settle in to an established work place quickly.
So, go and read Criminal minds production diary (a version of this can be found on Wil Wheaton's blog) and be inspired about effective, creative and collaborative work places as Wil Wheaton describes things far better than I can.Think about what changes you can make in your work place to increase the importance of teamwork, openness, generosity, respect, organization and fun in a high performance work place – and do something about it.
Read the rest of Sunken treasure as well – just for fun.
