The Future of Public Libraries as Convivial Spaces: A Design Fiction

Abstract

The proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICT) along with pressures of global capitalism has called in to question the role of public libraries in the future. At the same time, communities continue to rely on public libraries for social and civic functions. In this paper, the authors use research through design (RTD) and design fiction methods to explore alternative conceptions of public libraries and the role of ICTs in them The authors propose a design fiction in the form of a call for grant proposals issued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The design fiction focuses on the concept of conviviality to propose future design spaces for new kinds of interactions between library patrons and the world around them.