Library environments need to be specially designed for growth and collaboration. They must contain welcoming conditions. Indeed, they need to be attractive places that people want to enter and use. They need to encourage interactions that enable people to brainstorm and work together. Project based learning is an important aspect of the library of the future.

Spaces appropriate for experimentation and interaction often have a sense of enclosure. They can be corners or alcoves in which groups of two, three, four or more can try out ideas. In a way, we can call these places inner spaces. Inner spaces can also be informal environments, for example a cafe or a restaurant. Some, but not all, collaborative settings may be located along major pathways. Here, movement and visibility are key characteristics. The idea is to foment spontaneity. Its a good thing I ran into you because I have an idea.

When designing a space for collaboration, it is important to get feedback. It is essential to encourage a culture of progressive communication. When one experiments, one must not only see the results but must also get feedback from others including their insights and perspectives.

Debugging or fine tuning a space is another essential ingredient for success. One must get the chance to make mistakes" and then use those mistakes to design and implement further work. Feedback and debugging can be viewed as the bottom-up rather than top-down approach. options for innovation.  We develop collaborative spaces.

A "sitting circle" that encourages storytelling is another form of inner space. Homer's storytelling area on the Greek Island of Chios is a semicircular arrangement of rocks with Homer's seat in the center. The Indian teepee and the space within is another example of a sitting circle. Please note that storytelling is a controlled form of communication, with more structure than a conversation.