The traditional concept of public libraries may be going extinct. As home Internet connections offer information that patrons once visited libraries to access, libraries are adjusting their missions. Rather than being a storehouse of books and a quiet place to read, today's public library aims to become a central location for community interaction. Many of them, such as the Houston Public Library (HPL), are using technology to spur this changed focus.

The HPL reopened its central branch in May 2008 after a $17 million renovation. The four-floor building's new atmosphere is more like a Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore.

"We had to let staff know in a lot of the interviews we did, that the ‘shushing' image of the librarian does not apply here. On our first floor, we expect noise levels like you would hear in a retail environment, like a bookstore," said Michael Van Campen, the HPL's chief of central services.

A library "Gadget Petting Zoo," technology classes for all ages and Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation video game consoles encourage patrons to engage with one another.

"While we don't allow screaming, we expect the kids [in our teen room] to have fun and talk to one another while playing video games and to make noise," Van Campen said. "It's something that's becoming a part of libraries. We do have study rooms where people can get the traditional quiet environment."

He insists technology isn't diminishing the library's priority on books. In fact, Van Campen said the opposite is true: Increased foot traffic due to technology will actually lead to more interest in books. The library system is also trying a retail-inspired strategy of using the "wedding cake" book display that's popular in bookstores; Van Campen said books fly off the shelves when displayed on a tiered, circular platform. And true to the modern bookstore model, the newly renovated library will soon open a café operated by an outside vendor. Patrons won't need to leave if they get hungry or thirsty.

The HPL also is using technology to expand its presence beyond the central building and connected branches. A recently unveiled, mobile "Computer Lab on Wheels" brings technology training to low-income neighborhoods, and the library's Digital Inclusion Initiative installs computer labs at other community locations.

Game Time
It might seem counterintuitive to think of video games as valuable to a library's mission. Each Wii and PlayStation at the Houston Public Library is installed in a "pod chair," a futuristic-looking structure that surrounds the user almost completely. Pod chairs have sound systems and face 30-inch LCD screens. That seems designed more for isolation than interaction, doesn't it? However, teens and children often play against opponents sitting in neighboring chairs, according to Saima Kadir, coordinator of emerging technologies for the HPL.

"We have kids coming to play on the Wii who form little groups and they all show up at the same time to play together," Kadir said. "We have many teens this summer who walked in the door kind of lonely but have formed play groups, and they show up every day at 9 a.m., and they're here till 9 o'clock in the evening."

Before the renovation, the HPL offered little to attract teens, said Sandra Fernandez, the library's manager of public relations.

"The teen area was basically the size of a living room on the fourth floor where they didn't have their own dedicated computers. They didn't have their own private space. It was not really conducive to teens coming and hanging out," Fernandez said.

Half of the fourth floor now serves teens and offers them their own desktops and wireless laptops for doing homework. The area also provides quiet study rooms.