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Virtual Stacks


Book stacks are the heart of the library. Due to increasing economic and storage restrictions, the library of the future will need to rely on electronic document archives to meet the needs of its constituents.

Access to these electronic archives will be provided through Data Slates. The Data Slate is a rigid high-resolution color display with a pressure sensitive display surface. All processing power and a wireless network connection is built into the frame and backing. The form factor resembles a very light, thin Etch-a-Sketch. The Data Slate is produced in three sizes that enable different activities by individuals or small groups.

Features of the Data Slate include: Wireless access to the library's regional electronic archives, Internet access, encryption and security to protect the privacy of patrons and maintain the integrity of Fair Use Copyright restrictions.

Documents may be checked out by verified library patrons by downloading them from the library archives into the Data Slate. The Data Slate automatically locks documents as they time-out and Patrons may renew/unlock documents via their Internet connection. After a specified period of non-renewal the Data Slate will automatically erase any electronic documents from its memory.

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E-Study Carrel


The study carrel has been a long-standing feature of many library environments. The revolution in technology will not leave it untouched.

The Electronic Study Carrel is a fold out tri-panel screen with integrated touch sensitive computer displays. Similar to the Data Slate, the E-Study Carrel incorporates wireless network access and computer processing power into the design. The display is composed of the sme light emitting polymers as the Multi-Screen Electronic Theatre. The carrel is thin and is 18" square when folded for storage and transport. Once it is opened up, it can assume a number of configurations. A keyboard, mouse and other input devices such as scanners and video cameras can be used via wireless connections.

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Multi-Screen Electronic Theatre


One of the most popular features of the modern library has been the integration of multimedia collections and the attendant free screenings of popular and classic films. New technology now allows those screenings to become true participatory experiences.

The Multi-Screen Electronic Theatre is an assemblage of light-weight flexible displays arrayed in a grid to produce a large movie-sized screen. No projection equipment is necessary. The display squares can be arranged to fit the dimensions of most branch library community meeting rooms. The displays can act as one large display or used to display multiple computer and video feeds. The displays themselves or made of light emitting polymers that allow high-resolution full-color video output. The addition of video cameras mounted adjacent to the displays allow for participants to interact during conferencing events.

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Drive-By Interactive Marquee


The branch library is often the hub of community events. The Drive-By Interactive Marquee provides an obvious means for people to stay informed about special events in the community.

The Drive-By Interactive Marquee is a large all-weather video display, approximately 15' tall and 24' long. In standard mode the marquee provides a scrolling list of community activities. A walk-up kiosk mode is enabled by adding a touch-sensitive layer to the lower half of the screen allowing patrons to query the marquee for specific information.

On special occasions, movies or remote video feeds can be displayed for larger audiences that cannot be accommodated within the confines of the library. This too can be a fully interactive event through the use of video cameras mounted adjacent to the display.

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The B.A.T. Mobile


The B.A.T. Mobile is a large RV type vehicle that incorporates the latest in automotive and information technology. The vehicle is constructed of carbon fiber composites which reduces the weight enough to allow the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell to power it up and down the Cascades and beyond. Integrated into the side panels are two Drive-By Interactive Marquees one to each side. On the roof are two (or more as necessary) fold out satellite dishes which provide real-time broadband access to the global Internet via any suitable satellite network. Inside is housed a small control room.The control room contains, network servers which link the library's internal network to the global Internet, and a video control console to manage video feeds during live broadcast events.

In the rear of the vehicle is a Computer Animated Virtual Environment or B.A.T. Cave. The B.A.T. Cave is composed of electronic displays incorporated into the walls and ceiling of the rear half of the vehicle. The displays act in concert to provide telepresence of remote locations or to allow users to interact with artificial environments. The B.A.T. Cave is also the primary area of storage when the vehicle is in transit.