Whose Space Is It Anyway? A question on library behavior for the sake of art

 Last week we had an unusual occurrence—a class was assigned to develop temporary art installations in the library during their regular meeting time. Their assignment focused on the concept of personal space. Here are a few that I found:

   The transformation of a study room into a dorm room.

   The transformation of an elevator into a dorm room.

    The elevator walls.
 

   These invitations were scattered around the building.

   On the 4th floor footprints to lead you to a balcony.

   Feast.

   Art.

   People.

   A girl outside the library is "getting ready" for the day. Took her three hours. She acted as if this was her personal space.
    The tape path.

   Putting down more tape  

Overall I like the concept, however, administratively this posed some questions. We didn’t mind that students were doing these projects but wished that we known about them ahead of time-- although I presume that that was part of their study. Not only did they want to see how students reacted, but library staff as well… they were also invading our personal space to get a reaction.
 

I spoke with several of the students and they seemed to have a conversational wall up.  Sort of like they knew that they were doing something they probably shouldn’t be doing. Nearly all of them were very neutral if not dismissive toward my questions, so rather than be “the administrator who gave us a hard time” I inverted my attitude and acted as if their project was the most amazing thing ever. I had a feeling that they were hoping for a more confrontational encounter, but they had to accept praise instead of drama.

 

This got me thinking of the larger question of whose space is it anyway? Our charge is to maintain the collections, technology, furniture, and other stuff inside the building, but what about behavior? Obviously we don’t want people to be disruptive or offensive. We have an obligation to provide a safe, welcoming and productivity-driven environment, but where do we draw the line? What about gray matters like this?

 

If libraries are for the users, then at what points do we decide to drop in and be enforcers of the space? If a student wants to giveaway free cookies at a study table—is that ok? What if he wants to draw a masterpiece on a whiteboard? If they are doing passive activities that don’t directly interrupt others, is that within our bounds of control? Should we even care? How do you know when to just let it go and to let users be users?

 

This theme was reversed on me over the weekend when I went to the UCSB Art Museum to view an exhibit of grad student works. I was interviewing one of the artists and took a picture of her next to her work when a museum employee approached and said that photography was not allowed in the building. So even though I had the permission of the artist, I was prohibited from taking the shot. The creator of the work doesn’t own the activities in the space, she doesn't control the exhibit. She doesn't make the rules. In the same manner, can I dedicate behavior in the library if their professor tells them to go create an art scene? Isn't the library a space for everyone?

 

Bigger picture. One of the themes I’m trying to develop here is a sense of personality within our building. We’re not as shiny as others, but I want our users to feel that there is something more going on here than just a place to study. Even if it is intangible, I want them to feel that there is something inherently good about the library. The problem with that though seems to be that once you crack that seal you can’t stop of the flow of what comes in. If you allow some people to do art projects you can’t ban others, and this can obviously escalate.

 

Just curious what others of you out there allow to happen in your library buildings outside of your influence and control. You can create a policy but when happens when people operate outside of your rules? I guess we need people to test the rules so that we can reassess the boundaries from time to time. Just thinking out loud here.

Comments

[Lisa]

Interesting to ponder as well... If this was social science research (i.e., doing something to get a reaction), IRB would be all over it for lack of informed consent. But since it is art ... ?

[Lisa]

In some ways too - I'm sympathetic with the students. They are doing an assignment. The faculty member who assigned it - wonder what they think the library is for? [Side note - we have experienced similar but in addition some overtly disruptive "performance art" at our library ... walking on furniture, going up and touching people who were studying, destruction of materials, etc.]

[stevenb]

When I was a library director I'd often hear the comment "Your library is great" or something like that to which I'd reply, "It's not my library, it's our library" to remind that person the library is a commons that belongs to all community members. What's different is that we have the day to day responsibility as stewards of the space, which means we need to make sure the space is used in a way that best serves the community - and maintains a shared asset. So no, we don't allow activities or behavior that damage it even if you can make a case that it supports learning. Giving out food or cookies. No problem. But who is doing it and why.

You are correct that this is a lack of sensibility on the part of the instructor. Of course that person should give advance notice - no - ask if what they want to do is reasonable. I suspect that's what most would do. My thought. You handled it well - don't ever get into a confrontation in public. But behind the scenes your director should speak to the faculty member or that person's dept chair. And to go one further, at the next faculty meeting, just offer a reminder about the library being open to such projects but advance notice is appreciated. Remind everyone why the library is sacred space on campus - and why we want to preserve what is special about it.

[Stephen Abram]

This is a fantastic post.
It just goes to show that you can do research on your users and develop insights and opinions to test at every opportunity!
Stephen

[brian]

The thing that kind of ruined it was that one group didn't clean up after themselves... they left some trash on one of the floors, which upset some folks. I felt disappointed more than anything else.

Another thing was that this project took place from 9am- noon-- not really high volume time. Had they conducted it in the afternoon or evening then they certainly would have received a greater response... but that time was the duration of their class... so that's when it happened.

And yeah Steven, how we define commons space is a good topic. If we call it commons space and are genuine about that, then should we let them police it themselves? Where/when do we draw the line in terms of commons spaces vs. space the library watches over.

Lisa-- good point about IRB

[Jessica]

I've been a reader for a little while and I thought this post was really interesting. I just wanted to let you know I linked back to it from my Tumblr.

[PhillyLib]

Hi,

You probably saw this, but in case you didn't it may be interest you.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-calstate-library-20100607,0,1873030.story

[Rebecca Tolley-Stokes]

Your experience taking the photo of the artist in front of her work and then being admonished by the employee reminds me of issues of open access, author's rights, and scholarly communication. That example is fabulous. Do you mind if I use it when I talk to faculty about these issues?

Vandy does similar student-generated library projects: http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/myvu/news/2010/04/29/photography-class-defines-library-with-final-class-project.114598 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/vulibrary/sets/72157623860496100/show/ I've got to talk to our arts/music drama faculty to encourage them to use the library as a public space for their performances. we feature lots of student art work, but it'd be nice to have more.