I’m in the midst of redesigning our Junior School Library. it’s very exciting but there is also a lot of pressure to get it right. What should we include? How do we pick colours? I totally love it and have enjoyed looking for inspiration from libraries around the world.

School libraries have and continue to rapidly evolve, adapting to the changing needs of students and the education and learning environment. Today’s library spaces should be dynamic, flexible environments that encourage collaboration, innovation and creativity. But designing a school library to achieve all this can be tricky. Whether you are completely renovating the space, undertaking a new build or just making small updates to an existing space, there are lots of decisions and considerations to be made. From flexible furniture to tech-friendly zones with VR, 3D printers, and makerspaces, modern school libraries are being reimagined to inspire curiosity and cater to a variety of learning styles. Exploring the latest design trends has helped me, so here are a few I have discovered that are shaping the future of school libraries.

Accessibility

Accessibility to any space should be key to good design and it plays a massive role in school libraries. It’s also something the education world is slowly becoming more cognisant of. We in school libraries can always do better. Accessibility might be ensuring that there are ramps or lifts enabling access to all areas of the library space, which can be hard to rectify in existing spaces. But accessibility also includes ensuring shelves are spaced to allow wheelchair access and for groups of students to access the shelves or not have to squeeze between tables and chairs to access shelves. Ensuring shelf height matches your student groups is also key, using lower shelves for junior students.

Poor or too bright lighting, too much noise and too much stimuli can be overwhelming for some students and should be considered when designing for accessibility. Noise absorbing materials, soft fabrics, floor coverings, baffling or wall coverings can help reduce noise impact, as well as ensuring there are quieter zones for students to retreat to. Clear signage and way-finding that uses both easy to understand language and symbols can help with access to spaces and the collection. Shelves that are not overly packed and have forward facing books can help reduce overload then trying to access the collection.

Acoustic sound panels not only offer division of larger spaces, but help absorb noise against hard surfaces

Collaborating with nature

Nature is renewing and comforting and the use of natural finishes soften library spaces. Timber tones also add warmth and rugs are noise absorbing, welcoming and add texture. Natural and neutral colours also bring nature inside. Indoor plants help clean the air and bring greenery indoors, while windows allow for natural airflow and extend the visual borders of the library to include outdoor spaces. The library might even have an outdoor roof, veranda or courtyard that extends the indoor space.

Rosewood Library. Photo copyright of Decor Systems

Creative lighting

Lighting can really set the tone for a library space. Used to create different zones, colourful, changeable LED lighting adds a pop and touch of creativity, while warm lighting adds coziness to a space. Lighting is also important for workplace health and safety in work and study zones and should be considered for both staff and students. Use natural lighting where possible to supplement lighting and ensure lighting provides good visibility to shelves without natural sunlight impacting book covers or spines.

 

Creative lighting in the Lixin Junior High School Library designed by Tali Space. Image copyright Tali Space

Flexible

Flexibility is key into today’s changing landscape. If school libraries must constantly adapt, then so too must the space. Flexible furniture that can be used in a variety of ways and settings is key. Tables on wheels, flip top tables, adjustable height tables, mobile shelving that is easy to move, shelving that allows for shelf height adjustment or the inclusion of forward facing display shelves all add flexibility to the space. Open areas can be divided with this mobile furniture, creating different zones and areas with different purposes, reduce noise levels or meet different student needs.

While flexibility once might have meant one big open space, now more variety and choice is needed for our students. Small rooms to cater for recordings and meetings, landing zones, and spaces for group work and collaboration are all popular requests. If these are not structural in the library space, they can be created with mobile furniture, dividers or pods.

Blackwood Community Library, Image copyright Fry Library.

Tech integrations

Technology and its use is a key part of education and the skills students need, so integrating technology into the library design is important. Screens are useful for teaching, collaboration work and display. Mobile screens offer increased adaptability to meet demand. Podcasting and VR equipment can be integrated while still providing flexibility in use and for future iterations of these and other technologies. Makerspace areas that allow for hands-on learning are important and offer a space for classes and students to test, trial, ideate and prototype.

Entrance Gallery at St Paul’s School Innovation Precinct. Image copyright St Paul’s School

Makerspace at University of Arizona Library. Image copyright of Chipper Hatter

Branding

Designing the school library space should be a reflection of the school library brand, its values and approach. The space might do this by focusing on being welcoming, warm and inviting, or innovative and driving and supporting creativity. The brand might be reflected in colour choices, but more importantly provide the underlying feel to the space. It impacts layout decisions, what is valued and given space to and decisions around things like access points and furniture.

Lixin Elementary School Library. Photo copyright Tali Space.

 

St Paul’s School Library. Photo copyright St Paul’s School

Where to find inspiration

I’ve found visiting school libraries to find inspirational ideas that have been tested and tried is a good idea. I’ve also found lots of ideas, photos and videos by following school library social media accounts. Check out things like ALIA design awards entires and ALA design awards for some sensational photos. Look books and catalogues from furniture supplies and library supplies can help you see what furniture is available and  how it can be used. Finally, look to the other service and design industries such as bookshops, public libraries, interior design, and fashion for the latest trends in colours, design and style.

References and Further Reading

ALIA. (2024). Announcing the winners of the 2024 ALIA Library Design Awards. https://www.alia.org.au/Web/News/Articles/2024/May-2024/Library_Design_Winners_2024.aspx 

Bradtke, L. (2024). Workability, sustainability, inclusion: A tour through the 2024 Library Design Award winners. Incite, 45(3), 12-18. https://www.alia.org.au/Web/Web/Research-and-Publications/INCITE/INCITE-Magazine.aspx 

Given, L.M., Day, K.M., Partridge, H., and Howard, K. (2023). Designing for the Future in Australia: A Retrospective on the ALIA Library Design Awards. https://amazinglibrarydesigns.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Designing-for-the-Future-in-Australia-Report.pdf 

McGinnis, E. (2023). How to create a school library your students will love. https://www.ki.com/insights/blog/how-to-create-a-library-your-students-will-love/

Morehart, P. (2024). 2024 Library Design Showcase. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2024/09/03/2024-library-design-showcase/ 

Puckett, E.P. (2023). Overview: Modest, yet celebratory – Year in Architecture 2023. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/overview-modest-yet-celebratory-year-in-architecture-2023