European Library and Google Library Project: Implications for Mobile Learning and Space Design

Just read on cnet about the European Commision - a gov't organization - is taking on a task similar to Google's library project; essentially digitizing the entire collections of some of the major libraries of the continent. Overall I find these projects exciting for the opportunities that open up for just-in-time learning and just-about-everywhere learning.

A critical step for space designers will be to create spaces wehre learners will want to congreagate to discuss the artifacts that they access on their mobile devices. How can designers encourage learners to sit in the same physical spaces while they each do their own work (or work on some collaborative project?). Just becasuse everything is available online through the window of a personal device, doesn't mean that leaners should strive to be solitary while learning.

cnet Article: Europe's Digital Library Taking Shape

Google Library Project: Google Book Search Library Project