Idea Box @

Oak Park Public Library

by Raissa Herscovitch, Allison Phillips,
and Jennifer Susina

Location
and Specs
Near entrance; visible from street
11 year old building; 3 years as
IdeaBox
19 x 13; glass wall
WiFi and a single outlet

Planning
Shows run for 30
days
Planned quarterly
Emphasis on
innovation

Construction

Visible during construction

Break It session
What Was It? session

 Unattended
Observable
Door kept
open
Self-Policing
Documented

Visibility

Current
Show:
Rock the
Box!

The Ideal Space...

Stronger glass
A prettier ceiling
Teaching artists

Self-Assessment of the Space

Idea Box flickr

Example of doing a lot with a little

Inviting, nonjudgmental space
Simple design that is able to
inspire creativity and learning
Despite the room's limited size, it
can be made to appeal to all
abilities and skillsets

Mockup of New Space, The Ideal

Box
Located between main entrance to the
building and the library lobby.
19x13 room with one wall of glass and
glass door.
Gym floor covering made of durable
fabrics and mesh. Mat tape keeps
covering in place.
Existing furniture includes two plush
chairs, two wooden chairs, small table,
and other borrowed pieces from the library.
Two outlets to support technology.
Laptop computer, cables, short throw
projector, ceiling mount, and webcam used
to project onto walls and floor.
WiFi capabilities
Comment box with pen and cards outside
the door.

Budget for the Year

Start-Up Costs:

Laptop computer
VGA monitor cable
Short throw projector
Ceiling mount
Webcam
USB extension cable
Gym floor cover
Mat tape
Additional electrical outlet
Outlet labor (2 hours)
Job materials and supplies
Metal ballot box (w/pen)

Operational Costs:
$699
$15.99
$1099
$52.24
$36.95
$19.95
$153.40
$25.99
$5.51
$150
$25
$48.95

Behr Premium Plus Ultra Paint $1080

Po-motion Basic Software $479.88
Po-motion Games $75
Comment card paper $25.16
Specialty artists - $1000

TOTAL COSTS: $4992.02

Additional funds for materials used inside The Ideal Box
will come from unused money in the budget and from
community partners that sponsor the monthly exhibits.

Philosophy
The Ideal Box is a welcoming community space that
encourages patrons of all ages to explore, learn, and play
through interactive and accessible monthly exhibits.

The Ideal Box Schedule

Open during hours the library is available to patrons.
Any visitor to the library can participate in the monthly
activities.
Events will last approximately 3 weeks.

Measurement Tools
Comment Box w/attached
pen and comment cards
Weekly head-count of the
space (same day and time
every week)
Social media - flickr,
Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram

Image Credits
IdeaBox Flickr Account
http://www.po-motion.com/
http://www.pba.edu/mjrs-philosop
hy
http://cdn4.sportngin.com/attac
hments/news_article/4811/1019/s
chedule-icon-522928245c15e-54bf
7004391eb.png
https://smiaware.com/osint/what-i
s-sosint/