Part E

Design of the space and creating a welcoming place

The children’s library must have suitable space within the public library. In library buildings, where services for all age groups in the community are housed, children should get an appropriate proportion of the whole library space. Ideally, a children’s service needs its own area within the library building. The children’s space should be easily recognizable and distinct from other parts of the library. 

Space needs to be well designed in the children’s library in order to meet present and future needs. It is a resource that must be managed by the library staff, along with stock, staff and finances. In addition to meeting the needs of different age groups, space must be managed for different kinds of activities – for example, individuals browsing or studying; families or groups of teens using the space socially; larger events, such as storytelling, baby and toddler Rhyme Times, homework clubs and author presentations. 

Libraries aim to attract children and young adults by offering a range of services and facilities appealing to the particular age groups. This includes a welcoming physical space and children of all ages should find the library an inviting, attractive, challenging and non-threatening place to visit. The children’s library is a place to meet, play and communicate. It should be a safe, supportive and welcoming space that facilitates the exchange of diverse ideas. An inviting atmosphere and good design encourages children to use all library resources, to read and linger in the library. The exposure to language and literature begins with books and reading, so spaces are needed where children can spend time with books and listen to stories.

There are no universal standards for the size and design of children’s library facilities.  The following should be considered in planning library facilities for children: 

  • Central location, on the ground floor if possible 
  • Appropriate design for the age range of users 
  • Appropriate design for all library users, including those with special needs 
  • Adequate size to give space for the collection of books, newspapers and magazines, non-print resources and storage, reading areas, computer workstations, display areas, and work areas for library staff 
  • Flexibility to allow for a variety of activities. The space should be able to be used and rearranged for a wide range of activities, including music, play, story time, independent learning, and work stations for the development of digital literacy skills
  • Appropriate signage and way finding
  • Space for child care including breast feeding and baby changing
  • Family-friendly and all-genders toilets
  • Noise factors depending on the age range
  • Appropriate and sufficient light, natural and/or artificial 
  • Appropriate room temperature (e.g., air-conditioning, heating) to ensure good working conditions year round 
  • The space and furnishings should comply with child safety regulation codes

Age ranges

Children are not a homogenous target group.  Their different skills, gifts, talents and needs vary depending on their age, cultural, sociological and economic background. This must be considered in the space planning process and furnishing of the library. As the children’s library covers a wide range of ages and abilities, from babies to young adults, the design of the space and the furnishings should suit their different needs. 

The designing of library space for children and young adults takes specialist knowledge and skills. The most important is a knowledge of behaviour and information needs. It is challenging to make the space inviting for all ages across the youth spectrum. Their wants, desires and expectations of the library service come from their life experiences and social, educational and cultural influences. As children grow and become more independent and interested in socialising, the challenge is to provide welcoming space in the library for networking, socialising and enjoying the reading experience.

Furnishing and equipment

In the children’s library, it is important to provide an inviting space and comfort is an important consideration. Furniture and equipment for the library setting should be sturdy enough to withstand energetic use as it will receive considerable wear and tear.  Libraries should invest in technology, equipment or furniture which can withstand heavy use and easily be repaired.  For teenagers, comfortable furniture including couches, coffee tables and beanbags or other casual furniture is most inviting. 

Shelving for book display should be engaging and attractive. The shelving should allow different media to be presented and should be low throughout the children’s section to make the resources accessible to children.  Differing heights of shelves, however, will always make books easily reachable by some children and adults and not others. A dynamic approach to stock management and display is the best way to overcome this. Regularly changing what can be seen and reached in different places in the space will widen choice and increase the access to books for everyone. Maintaining as many low shelves as possible will make books and other materials available to all library users.

Lighting

Lighting will control how the library space feels and looks and it is beneficial to incorporate both the best of natural light and internal-lighting techniques. Most readers like to read in natural light, and different lighting levels are needed for study spaces and for creating ambience in more reflective areas. Varieties of mood lighting is popular in areas designed for teenagers.

Signage and way finding

The signs in the children’s library are a critical part of communicating with users.  Signs with friendly wording in the languages of the local community will make everyone feel more welcome. Signage that gives children visual and textual pointers, such as pictograms, to what is available should be a strong design feature. Makaton signage (a language program that uses signs and symbols to teach communication, language and literacy skills) can help to provide all children and families full access to resources.

Accessibility of the library space

Using a universal design approach, facilities should be accessible to all. 

Health and safety

The children’s library must be a safe place and staff should be aware of local legislation regarding health and safety. 

Consultation with users – involving children and young adults in designing their library space

It is important to have user participation in developing and planning new libraries. Innovative librarians should involve children and young adults by consulting and listening to their ideas for creating the library space. 

The Danish Model Programme for Public Libraries – as an example of innovative design and good practice

Danish LIS-scientists Dorte Skot-Hansen, Henrik Jochumsen and Casper Hvenegaard Hansen have introduced a model to describe the transformation of the public library from a passive collection-based space to a more active space for experience and inspiration and a local meeting point. The model consists of four different overlapping ‘spaces’: the inspiration space, the learning space, the meeting space and the performative space. These four spaces’ overall objective is to support the following four goals for the public library in the future:

  • Experience
  • Involvement
  • Empowerment
  • Innovation

The four spaces are not to be seen as concrete ‘rooms’ in a physical sense, but rather as possibilities that can be fulfilled both in the physical library and in cyberspace.

The model can be used: 

  • As an instrument for arranging, rearranging, designing and building libraries
  • As an instrument to develop libraries e.g. through partnerships
  • As a management and communication tool in connection with the development of library plans and policy 
  • As a tool for communicating the role of the library to (local) politicians
  • As a point of departure for the discussion of the public library’s role in the continued development of a democratic society