Anythink Library

This library blew my mind.  I'm still not sure if it was good or bad, but it was blown.  It had an awesome interior design theme.  Everything was cozy and welcoming.  The children's area was probably the coolest children's space that I have ever seen.  It was a magical fun place.  Now the part that I'm not so sure about is how they .... I'm not sure how to vocalize what I'm confused about.  They had a coffee shop in the library.  They refer to the patrons as customers.  They are not librarians, but guides.  They books are cataloged like a book store.  So, it's a very user centered place that encourages people to be able to help themselves.  I think some of my uncertainty comes from unfamiliarity of public library and what those constituents want and need.  So, if it is what the people want and if the people are the ones who get to decide what they want and need, then the Anythink library is perfect for them.  Their circulation has already passed 1 million and they have only been open for a year. And they have had very successful community programs as well.