It's the way of the future

New Plymouth's Puke Ariki Library and Museum complex is the way of the future, two visiting librarians from the Netherlands say.

"It is a good example of the way that we think it should be done," Erik Boekesteijn said.

"The museum uses new technology and it brings stories of the people together in the way that we do and I like that very much."

Mr Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer are travelling the world talking to librarians and customers, gathering information to make libraries more popular.

They said they would like to see some of the modern technology used to tell stories at the museum transferred across to the library.

"It is one thing to know that social media is out there now take it one step further and make it part of the library."

Mr Boekesteijn said the pair wanted to see more young people getting involved with their local libraries and saw travelling the world as a good way to find new ideas and innovations.

"Our aim is to develop products that help to improve libraries around the world. We decided it was a good thing to see what was happening around the world in library-land."

The men run four exhibitions annually in their own library, DOK Library Concept Centre, using 32 LCD screens to create a wall that tells a story.

"People can contribute their own photos and stories to the wall. At the end of the exhibition you have a huge collection of people's stories."

Mr van de Geer said the idea gave people in the community a vested interest.

While in New Plymouth the men gave a public talk at the New Plymouth council chambers, spoke to local librarians and filmed and interviewed people using the library.

- © Fairfax NZ News