DigiForm – Digital Support of Communication in the Physical Space

Project Resumé

The establishment of the TING-well provides the opportunity to push the libraries’ resources in an entirely different way than before. Combined with the expansion of RFID-technology, this provides all new interaction options between the material and the users in the library. 

The project is to explore these opportunities and create a number of physical installations in the library space. The product should be the “engine” that investigates the needs in the modern library space (The Urban Media Space) as well as the local citizens’ centers.

Background

AAKB has, through the last ten years, contributed to the development of library technology of the future, and we have seen a number of prototypes for what these technologies could be used for. As is the case in a lot other projects, we have a great need for developing concepts that can be replicated in many places. This counts for the digital content as well as the way in which it is presented in the library space. While concrete installations are developed and constructed, the project is to develop and distribute the concepts to Danish libraries and other interested parties.

The Unique Character of the Project

The project is unique, because the timing is perfect. We have the technological opportunities and the access to structured digital content that has not previously been present, and we have the need for rethinking the structure and communication in libraries. Starting from empirical data including former AAKB projects, the project must create concrete installations and communication applications that are conceptualized so that they can be used by others. Finally, the project will use RFID for more than just material handling; 3D Applications, mashups with statistical data and interactive displays, etc.

Purpose

The purpose is to communicate the libraries’ digital resources in the library space in a well considered way, where the newest technology is utilized. The purpose is furthermore the communicate experiences and content to other libraries.

What must the Project Achieve?

Which sustained effects can be expected after the time frame of the project? At least 10 different digital installations in use in the library (i.e., the installation aimed for the users ”Palles Gavebod”). Product Catalogue for other libraries.Results

Target Group

The libraries’ users, libraries, the national net services in Denmark, the Danish Digital Library.

Strategy and Methods

Buildteam / Hacklabs OpenSource: Anything that can be produced is distributed for free utilization.

Software is published at www.bibos.dk. Blueprints etc. for physical installations are published and communicated from the project blog ITKlik.

Description of Main Activities

Workshops with co-operation partners and users, monthly Hacklabs, production of software and physical installations.

Co-operation Partners

DubaB8, Bjerringbro

Alexandra Institute

Aarhus Innovation Lab

Aarhus Interactive Spaces Aarhus Kollision, Aarhus

Contact

Project Manager: Martin Vellerup: mvel@aarhus.dk

Organization

Work Group: Architect, librarians, idea developers, IT-professionals, programmers and external partners.

Project Plan

02-2011: The project is constituted and a project plan is developed

 03-2011: Workshops with co-operation partners and users

04-2011: Programming user interfaces and production of physical installations

04-2011: Monthly Hacklabs with invited guests (hands-on).

09-2011: User workshop (Offset for user evaluation)

11-2011: Recap and project evaluation

12-2011: Report

Activities

Workshops are carried out to gain knowledge and to be able to define the service design on the installations and displays the project will create.

Monthly Hacklabs focuses on the production itself, the digital as well as the practical aspect. Expect hammering, welding and coding etc.

User workshop in September 2011, in part to evaluate the products, but also set off a possible redesign.

Gathering Experiences and Seeking Information

The project includes experiences and recommendations from Digital Trendspotting, which has related to service design in the library space and defined a number of physical elements that support the purpose.

More information: http://digitaltrendspotting.dk/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/konceptkatalog...
Additionally, experiences and OpenSource software from GEOBIB is included with focus on locality based displays.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluation by external evaluator. The evaluation report will be attached the final report.

Knowledge and experiences about interactive installations in library spaces are continuously being gathered.

Communicating Results

The digital communication is communication in itself. Additionally, the final report is published digitally. Articles will be written for the professional magazines during the project, and blogs etc. will be used. Finally, communicaton of the project takes place via the Agency’s project bank.