Libraries Vs Big Box Retailers

I enjoyed the presentation on libraries and the Big Box Retailers. I wondered how well that Coffman study has been publicized, and if most public librarians have heard of it. I don’t think he’s alone in his opinion on what reference librarians do (or don’t do) either. I have already been asked by (I suppose) well-meaning people who wonder “why” anyone would need to go to library school- after all, how much to it can there be?
Since I worked at the Sequoya Public Library both before and after it was rebuilt, I intimately understand the changes in the way it uses space, light and other details to attract patrons. Several of the photos (which incidentally featured a few of my dear co-workers but none of me) showed quite well that the old Sequoya was just a hole in the strip mall, with almost no natural light. We are now practically encased in natural light (I am often squinting) and our design motif and comfort of the furniture does seem to have improved. I still don’t think our display cases make browsing intuitive, but I don’t think that needs to be the main feature of a library anyway. The way the building is shaped makes it annoying for staff, because we can’t see what’s going on in the wings when we are the circulation or reference desk, but the extra space is nice. However, our collection actually shrunk when we moved, that extra room was used for chairs, a fireplace and the like, not additional materials. One more thing to note: since the building is LED certified, the parking lot was built purposefully small. This makes some patrons anywhere from mildly irritated to absolutely enraged, and lack of parking is probably the #1 complaint I am subjected to. Pleads about how powerless I personally am to change this or suggestions of public transportation only make things worse. I know Big Box book stores always have plenty of parking!
Anyway, the group did a good job and I’m glad their conclusion favored old-fashioned public libraries. Those are the ones I like best.