Book a Nook

Date: 2016
Status: Active

An open-source tool to activate, connect, and experiment with community spaces.

How might we use data to support rigorous experimentation with library spaces?
How might we enable more flexible, improvisatory, and expansive definitions of what constitutes a bookable space and what activities take place there?

Book a Nook is an open-source web application for managing library and other community space reservations. It’s funded by the Knight Foundation’s Prototype Fund. Inspired by innovative uses of libraries as flexible community space, it departs from other (overwhelmingly proprietary) room management systems in three major areas:

Usability. Simplified workflow and a visual interface, expanded room information, consideration of in-library and at-home use cases.

Data. In addition to streamlining annual reporting requirements, BaN prioritizes librarian control over data to inform library policy decisions and advocate for library resources while respecting the privacy of patrons.

Connection. BaN allows libraries and other community spaces to create a network of spaces, allowing searches across sites. It also has an open API that can be used both to embed library spaces within the larger digital ecosystem and as a hands-on source of data for patrons learning to code.

Contact:

jessica \\ email

Collaborators:

The Berkman Klein Center, The Knight Foundation

What's it made with:

Ruby on Rails

Links:

GitHub Repository, bookanook.org, Knight Foundation,

Opportunities for involvement:

Libraries / community spaces to try out the software and talk to us about it; Libraries / community spaces to tell us about their experiences managing space reservations

Bibliography / Inspiration:
OpenRoom: Making Room Reservation Easy for Students and Faculty, code{4}lib, Exposing library services with AngularJS, code{4}lib,

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