Tactical interventions in libraries

Karen Munro

doi:10.21173/newlibs/3/8

Abstract

“Tactical urbanism” is a catchphrase describing a wide range of ways in which ordinary people improve their neighborhoods, through interventions ranging from seed - bombing vacant lots to building impromptu parks. Tactical interventions are cheap, quick, and accessible to everyone. Libraries can adopt a tactical approach by consciously leveraging lightweight, experimental, iterative, and small - scale projects in support of larger strategies. This column will outline the characteristics ofsuccessful tactical interventions, and describe two real - world library projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.

Highlights

Karen MunroAbstract: “Tactical urbanism” is a catchphrase describing a wide range of ways in which ordinary people improve their neighborhoods, through interventions ranging from seed-bombing vacant lots to building impromptu parks
Anyone who walked much in Queens, New York knew about the Astoria Scum River
Jason Eppink and the artist known as Posterchild, salvaged pallet wood from the street and built a small foot bridge for next to no cost. They lugged it to the sidewalk and left it over the puddle, complete with a plaque dubbing it the “Astoria Scum River Bridge” and dedicating it to the “safety and comfort of the pedestrian.” (Eppink)

Summary

Karen Munro

Abstract: “Tactical urbanism” is a catchphrase describing a wide range of ways in which ordinary people improve their neighborhoods, through interventions ranging from seed-bombing vacant lots to building impromptu parks. Libraries can adopt a tactical approach by consciously leveraging lightweight, experimental, iterative, and small-scale projects in support of larger strategies. This column will outline the characteristics of successful tactical interventions, and describe two real-world library projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.

Introduction

Conclusion