Hands down this is one of the most interesting examples creative architecture and community spaces we’ve seen all year. But the finished project almost falls in the shadow of the story about how this library came about.

A number of smart libraries in the UK have started to lend ebooks in addition to their normal circulation.

6a Architects has created a multi-use space where library stacks are used to display K-Swiss products.

For one Boston Prep school, the satisfying turn of the page and row upon row of books have been replaced by the calculated clack of keyboards and endlessness of the internet. As the modern library it seems, contains no actual books.

The metamorphosis of former Clash guitarist Mick Jones from late 70’s socio-political hell-raiser to punk-rocks learned elder statesman looks complete with the opening of his own library. Located a stones row from the infamous road the Westway that inspired so much of his music, and set in a 3000 s/ft lock-up in Acton, The Rock and Roll Public Library will feature original artwork, fanzines, recording equipment, interactive features and of course a treasure trove of music and punk paraphernalia.

Jones claims the idea is a “direct artistic challenge” to that altogether more “corporate” affair, the British Music Experience, which recently opened [...]

New York now probably has the grandest Wi-Fi hotspot in the country. Yesterday, the New York Public Library opened its elegant Edna Barnes Salomon Room in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building as a reading room specifically for online users. In recent years, the room has been used mostly for special exhibitions and rental space for private engagements.
Built in 1911, the Schwarzman Building houses the library’s research collection. The Beaux-Arts room is decorated in the classical style with 4,500 square foot of rectangular space and boasts dark maple wood floors. It has seating for 128 people on brown leather chairs and [...]

The New York Times reports that New York City’s library use is surging during the current economic downturn. This increase in usage is turning libraries into a kind of makeshift employment center. The new denizens of the library are largely made up of  job seekers, and patrons with dwindling resources. Shared computer time is being eaten up by frantic patrons looking for work and resume books are on near permanent loan. For some, the library is becoming a virtual office and base of operations as they’ve had to cancel internet service at home.
Going forward it will be interesting to watch [...]

Like a Netflix for toys, Baby Plays is a subscription service that will send you a set number of toys on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. The basic plan sends out 5 different toys for babies and children to play with every 60 days for $26.99. And at the top end, you can get  10 toys every 30 days for $64.99.
The service carries a variety of toys, including more educational fare for children up to age 5. Similar to Netflix, you can hold on to any of the toys for as long as you want, which just reduces the number [...]