Choosing a "Feature" for the Children's Room

Often, when a big remodel or new building is planned, the youth staff gets a chance to select a special "feature" that becomes a signature piece in the new youth area. It's sometimes tough to decide what that special feature should be.

A recent ALSC blog post from Emily Mroczek-Bayci writes: "A lot of libraries around me received renovations, and it’s always fun to check out what big ticket library purchases a library adds. In fact I’m pretty sure every library worker finds themselves lurking around local libraries while on vacation to “check it out”. Some items I see are totally unique while others are becoming more common. Here are some “big ticket items” that are surfacing in more libraries around the country."

Check out her pictures of these items here and start dreaming! [Big Ticket Library Purchases. Mrozek-Bayci, Emily. ALSC blog. May 23, 2023.]

Designing Youth Library Spaces

How we and our patrons use library space is as important as how we both use library materials. What innovative things are you doing in your library space to create play spaces, reading nooks, teen spaces, maker spaces, early literacy activity spaces, programs, or other designed spaces to meet the needs of your community? We'd love to hear about it and so would your Wisconsin Youth Services colleagues. Submit your photos or article via email to Sarah Cournoyer to be posted to this blog, or you can share details or a photo in the comments.

Keep up on reflexive and responsive library space design and trends and gather ideas via these resources:

ALSC Blog Post from March 3, 2016 on Laying the Foundations of Design

2012 Youth Spaces Design Showcase

Teen Library Space on Pinterest

Do you have any additional resources to share? Please do.