Wonder

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The Future of Libraries

by Joseph Lake

Joseph is a Wonder Researcher and expert in business, mathematics, and history with a passion for cooking, science, and literature. @Joe_C_Lake

Libraries; we’ve all seen them. These large buildings filled with printed e-books seem like relics of a bygone era.  What possible role could a tomb for tomes have in an age where we can carry and access pretty much everything? Well, in the future, that role will be as an all access, state of the art, media and technology laboratory; with your own personal engineers!

This shift in paradigm may come as a surprise, but let’s break down exactly what a library is; and how that will change. A classic library consists of four things; the building, the books, the librarian, and the patron.

The Building: A trend has already begun with libraries that will continue until humans live in pods refusing to leave their homes. That trend is integrating technology into learning. For decades we have had computers, but recently libraries have acquired 3D printers, vinyl printers, cameras, microphones, and tables that are actually giant tablets (Caution: librarians will become angry if you set your drink on them). Some are also developing craft rooms with sewing machines and art supplies, so you can head over, finish your quilt, and maybe get a watercolor masterpiece done if you have the time.  Local businesses, groups, and clubs are also noticing that the great technology, combined with large, empty rooms, makes a great place to hold meetings. So the building of the future will be re-purposed as a craft, media and conference center; all available to the public!

The Librarian: Already we are seeing drifts in a librarian role. Librarians were there to help get the ball rolling on research and show you how to use the equipment, and their expertise in these areas will continue to expand. Joseph Aldrich, of the Librarian Journal, predicts that by 2020 librarians will be incredibly specialized with new roles like engineers working with the equipment, and PR reps coordinating with the public to get people to understand what the "New Library" is all about; and maybe get a few donations too, this need probably won’t be going away soon.

The Books: Gone from view! No longer will we decipher the cryptic, Dewey Decimal System. In fact, except in the case of specialized libraries like medical, you probably won't even see books. Several libraries are integrating robotic retrieval systems that would use robots to retrieve requested materials from underground bins. The whole system takes about five to ten minutes, and is seriously reducing needed storage space. However, we will still use books for many years to come, since digitizing that many pages is impractical... for now. The Patron:        You may have once used the pre-internet library to finish that report on caterpillars as a student, but now you will go to 3D print a new sculpture, check out camera equipment to document your next camping trip in high-quality, or to make a living as a Library Engineer.  I can certainly say that, for Libraries, the future is indeed bright!

Ask your own question on Wonder 

Reference links:

Slate: The Future of The Library : How They Will Evolve For The Digital Age

Library Journal: The Librarian in 2020, Reinventing Libraries

NCSU Libraries Book Bot 

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Earning Trust From Customers

By Wonder Expert Researcher Julie L.

The methods for gaining brand trust in customers appear to be consistent across many industries worldwide. Prior to the first engagement with the brand in the pre-purchase phase, the most important factors are corporate image, perceived service quality, trust, and customer switching costs. Questions to consider: is the website professionally made? How easy is it to purchase products and navigate the website? How much helpful, usable information is on the website? Is there too much wordy fluff there? Can I opt out if I'm not satisfied? You want to present very minimal risk at this stage.  

After the initial encounter, brand loyalty is dependent on consistent positive encounters, which will increase customer satisfaction, trust, relationship commitment, and continuity.  

To deepen trust, storytelling can be introduced, moving past the marketplace and into the realm of emotional connection. In "Narrative Processing: Building Consumer Connections to Brands," (2004) written by Jennifer Edson Escalas, she states, "narrative processing creates or enhances self-brand connections because people generally interpret the meaning of their experiences by fitting them into a story. Narrative processing may create a link between a brand and the self when consumers attempt to map incoming narrative information onto stories in memory. A brand becomes more meaningful the more closely it is linked to the self."

Ask Wonder for more information 

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Preparing Questions For a Group Discussion

By Wonder Expert Researcher Emily Cox

If you are preparing for your first time facilitating,leading, or moderating a roundtable discussion, then it can be intimidating, so I have scoured the Internet and pulled the best tips, tricks and techniques to help you get ready for the big day. 

There are two primary formats for roundtable discussions: 

You can either prepare questions in advance yourself or draw from the audience to determine what questions will be asked. 

The later ensures that the attendees get the most out of the roundtable discussion as possible. Either email participants in advance of the discussion or have the attendees enter the room first at the discussion and ask them what is the one most important question that they hope to have answered by the end of the discussion. You can then rank these questions and use them as your guide.

Some of these questions will be unique and while others will be shared by many. This will help you guide and prioritize the discussion, while keeping the audience's objectives in mind.

Additional resources below and on Wonderlib.com 

How to Run a Roundtable Discussion

4 Tips for Planning and Hosting a Successful Roundtable

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Considerations When Converting To a Benefit Corporation

Researched and Written by Amy O, Wonder Researcher 

If you are thinking of incorporating your company as a Benefit Corporation, Wonder Expert Researcher, Amy O., has put together a list of elements for you to consider while setting up the organization. 

“Consider whether you would like to convert to a B Corp or if you mean Benefit Corporation.

 A lot of people assume the terms are interchangeable but they are totally different, being that one is a certification and one is a legal entity. Assuming you really do mean B Corp, then you just fill out the impact report, but they won't actually change your tax filing status. 

If you mean Benefit Corporation, that's quite a bit more involved. First read this article by ReadWrite to make sure your state allows B Corporations and to decide if it's worth the hassle of paperwork. There's no tax benefit to this status. The advantage is that you're legally obligated to remain true to your social mission and this might attract customers. 

The cost depends on whether you do it yourself or hire an attorney. Then, there's the ongoing cost of keeping all the promises you made when you did the paperwork. Lawyers usually cost between $200 and $300 per hour. If you are already an S Corp, you will mostly make changes to your Articles of Incorporation to make them fit the requirements for a Benefit Corporation.

After some research, it seems it could take anywhere from five weeks to six months to convert based on the complexity of your organization.” Before beginning the process, think of the drawbacks and benefits of becoming a Benefit Corporation, and the differences between the legal entity and the certification, and ask Wonder specific questions to get you started.

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How To Search For A Late Night Bar in NYC

Our Expert Researcher, Ivan P., used Yelp advanced search and a map of NYC neighborhoods south of 30th st. to research the number of bars open past 4pm in NYC below 30th st.

“According to yelp, there are 562-598 "bars" open after 4pm south of 30th St (the exact amount depends on the day of the week, since many bars have different weekday/weekend hours). However, this result includes results for "bars" that you may not want -- e.g. hookah, lounge, wine, and cocktail bars. Being more specific, I looked for bars classified as "dive bars" and got 33-36 results. For sports bars I got 61-68 results and for pubs I got 94-100 results. Note that bars can have multiple categories (e.g. a bar can be labeled as both a dive bar and pub). Thus overall, there are probably less than ~100 NYC bars south of 30th st open after 4pm that you would be interested in attending. While yelp is not a comprehensive database, it does contain most of the major/popular bars, especially in major metropolitan areas like NYC.”

Yelp result for dive bars south of 30th st NYC open after 4pm

NYC Food/Bar Map - a visual alternative to Yelp/Google Maps

Ask Wonderlib.com any travel question you have. Our researchers will find you an answer. 

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A Little Free Library in Boulder, CO, in front of a community garden.

What is a little free library? Justine V. will tell you here: http://bit.ly/1JATmX9

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What Is A Little Free Library?

By Wonder Researcher, Justine V. 

Full response : http://bit.ly/1JATmX9

“Basically, a Free Little Library is a box with a glass door on a pole that is placed on someone's front lawn, in front of a school, or anywhere else. It's then typically filled with used books for others to borrow. Often, whoever takes a book will also bring a book they already read and leave it behind for someone else. Sometimes a notebook is left in the box so that users can write reviews of books or leave comments.   This is a great way to share books while meeting neighbors, but some communities have strict laws on what can and can't be placed in a front yard. If you're thinking of participating in this program, you really should check your local ordinances to avoid a fine or hard feelings if the inspector shows up. I'm trying to get up the nerve to start one, but am fearing my uptight neighbors more than the city laws.” 

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Road trips - where ya headin?

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How to Reduce Stress at Work: https://lnkd.in/bmPcEhD These links will tell you how stress can affect productivity, reduce a worker's engagement and even lead to absenteeism. You'll learn how stress affects your health and body in general and how stress can affect your memory and concentration--tasks which are needed to be highly productive at work. The next three links will provide tips and guidelines on how to manage stress and improve focus at work with music and by delegating tasks. Links curated by researchers wonderlib.com

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Reading Nook on Stairs

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The perfect spot to absorb ideas and words.

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Reading in the attic

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Can we move in?

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9 Beautiful Bookshelves … of Questionable Functionality

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So many imaginative designs.

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The Old Butcher’s Bookshop - Paris

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We could get lost in this wonderland forever

[amnhnyc]

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Beautiful books #worldbookday

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[poethica]

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Simple way to take handwritten notes and outline ideas.

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To-Do

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Yes! So helpful!