• Visualizing the Library

    The assignment is about making vulnerable collections visible while ensuring their optimal preservation. It uses the open dataset LIMO, the library collection of KU Leuven.

Image: All rights reserved 2022 Tristan Van Garsse

An assignment in the 3rd bachelor Media and Information Design, based on a selection out of ‘Old Library’ and ‘Special Editions’ collection from the library at LUCA, Brussels. 

 

Over many decades the Sint-Lukas Library of Brussels has specialized itself in the domain of arts and design. As a visitor of this library you can have immediate acces to most of their publications, but some of them –the most vulnerable and valuable ones–, are physically hidden to the public to protect them from damage or loss. One can find information about them in public databases – like limo–, but searching into a well organized textual database does not provide visitors the same experience as if they would browse through the real physical objects.

This leads to an almost paradoxical situation whereby the most precious publications are ‘hidden’ for the visitors. In this assignment you will look for digital design solutions which reveal – and even promote – these outstanding publications to the public, while still guaranteeing optimal conservation.

Reveal 18 selected books using digital media

A selection of 18 books was picked out of the collections ‘Old Library’ and ‘Special Editions’. Both these collections contain vulnerable and valuable books: because of their uniqueness, age, physical fragility or economical value. Think of how to show the qualities of these books in ‘a better way’ than standard online library catalogues do this. Come up with stimulating and seductive proposals which use the possibillities of digital interactive media.

Revealing and promoting vulnerable and valuable books