IDOL: interactive digital outdoor library

The design and location of public libraries in the twenty-first century should be flexible as an integral part of smart communities' digital, knowledge, and creative infrastructures. The Interactive Digital Outdoor Library (IDOL) aims to address the need for access to reading materials for pedestrians by uniquely combining library and outdoor services. IDOL structure acts as an outdoor reader's hub, with shelter, providing a small collection of seaters with distinctive designs, where an average of ten people can gather to retrieve the materials and read for a short time. The digital floor stands with interactive touch screens for e-books, music, movies, and news updates in an open structure emphasizing ease and safety. The access to e-books reduces issues of limited libraries and community centers, serves as an intervention to combat idleness, and introduces new outdoor community spaces. The concept is to bring inside the traditional library to the public outside, which inspired our theme, “Library as an Idol”, greatly admired by new literacy communities. IDOL is available for 24-hour operation using a solar-powered system with book club specialties, allowing avid and interested readers to buy or subscribe to e-books with special discounts. Through advertising, the library will seek and attract funding from corporate organizations and brand owners whose products and services are aimed at the public. Literacy resources from private individuals' collections, writers' associations, and other concerned groups worldwide are invited and announced to the public via various IDOL communication channels such as social media and traditional media for e-book collections. Applying technological innovations and smart strategies in communities is an excellent attempt to improve government services and citizens’ overall quality of life.