Workshop 

Library Field Notes

At the Metropolitan New York Library Council, we have been using a unique design methodology to engage our community in the development of the Library Field, an outdoor library space meant to expand the way library work is defined. In Autumn 2025 participants joined us for a 15-stop hike at the Library Field — a large, wild property just north of New York City. During the hike, participants documented their thoughts and ideas in a field guide booklet while they were walking. Some hikers write notes, poems, and stories, others include drawings and diagrams. All of this was saved as input to inform the long term design and development of the project.

In this hands-on session at Next Library, Nate Hill will first give a presentation about this work in New York and demonstrate the process for the Next Library audience. Then, Nate will lead participants for ashort hike at Namsan mountain, where everyone can try this design method themselves. On the hike, participants will take written notes or document their inquiry with drawings, which will be contributed back to Community House Masil.

Host 

Nate Hill is a librarian, artist, and aspiring ecologist.

He’s the Executive Director of the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO), our local library network which serves as the institutional home for projects like the Archipelago Commons, the Cross-Reference Coalition, the Library Field, as well as many others. In the past, Nate has worked at the Brooklyn Public Library (NY), San Jose Public Library (CA), and Chattanooga Public Library (TN).

Nate was a past affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, is currently a fellow with Library Futures at New York University’s Engelberg Center, and was a past participant in the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators (INELI) with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Nate studied art as an undergraduate at Skidmore College, and got his Masters degree in Library and Information Science at Pratt Institute. Nate is at his happiest when he's making, building, or contributing to new things, whether those things are sculptures, gardens, communities, or organizations.