Teen Spaces: The Step-by-Step Library Makeover

241 Pages·2009·5.02 MB·English

by  Kimberly Bolan

Teen
The Step-by-Step
Library Makeover
Spaces
Second Edition
Kimberly Bolan
Teen
The Step-by-Step
Library Makeover
Spaces
Second Edition
Kimberly Bolan
American Library Association
Chicago 2009
Kimberly Bolan is a library consultant based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the
past twenty years, Ms. Bolan has worked in and with public and school libraries of
all sizes. Her work has focused on facilities planning and design, strategic planning,
teen and youth ser vices, technology ser vices, and customer ser vice and marketing.
Bolan earned her MLS at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. She
presents at numerous state and national conferences, is the author of Technology
Made Simple (with Robert Cullin) and numerous journal articles, and was named a
2004 Mover and Shaker by Library Journal.
While extensive effort has gone into ensuring the reliability of information appearing in this
book, the publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy or reliability of
the information, and does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any
loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National
Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48-1992. ∞
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bolan, Kimberly.
Teen spaces : the step-by-step library makeover / Kimberly Bolan. — 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8389-0969-0 (alk. paper)
1. Libraries—Space utilization. 2. Young adults’ libraries—Planning. 3. Library
decoration. I. Title.
Z679.55.T36 2009
022′.31626—dc22 2008026621
Copyright © 2009 by the American Library Association. All rights reserved except those
which may be granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976.
The cover image depicts a space designed by Kimberly Bolan of Kimberly Bolan and Associ-
ates, DEMCO Library Interiors (DLI), and the teens of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Photo
courtesy of DEMCO Library Interiors.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-0969-0
Printed in the United States of America
13 12 11 10 09 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgments ix
Chapter 1 Understanding Teens and Their Space 1
Chapter 2 Ask and Analyze 13
Chapter 3 Plan and Propose 47
Chapter 4 Design and Decorate 69
Chapter 5 Long-Term Promotion 105
Chapter 6 Policy and Practice 130
Appendix A Templates 147
Appendix B Worksheets 158
Appendix C Resources 170
Appendix D Vendor List 189
Appendix E Resource Libraries 201
Index 221
Additional material can be found on the book’s companion website
at www.ala.org/editions/extras/Bolan09690.
iii

Preface
W hen I first began researching and designing library spaces for teenagers in 1995,
I discovered the concept was nearly nonexistent. Even when I was writing the
first edition of Teen Spaces in 2002, it was a challenge to find libraries that
were actively engaged in ser vices for their teen customers. At the time, teen space was a
rarity. Just six years after the publication of the first edition, teen space is no longer the
exception; it is gradually becoming the rule. This transformation in space planning and
design for the thirteen- to eighteen-year-old is prevalent in public libraries and is growing
in middle and high schools. Creating efficient, innovative, and inspirational spaces for
teenage customers is a result of staff and administrators moving away from a traditional
approach to library design and ser vices, looking for a means to draw in this underserved
customer base and increase future library supporters. Creating welcoming environments
for teens in libraries has become an essential part of providing excellence in teen ser vice.
It appears that libraries are taking this to heart, as 61 percent of all library building proj-
ects in 2006 included a teen space.1
While most libraries and schools recognize the importance of teen ser vices and space
design, there are still a number of orga nizations that continue to struggle with planning
and implementing twenty-first-century library facilities for teenagers. Others have made
the first steps but are struggling with what to do next or how to improve on what’s been
done. Success is derived from basic principles such as successful, properly understood
marketing; active and ongoing teen involvement and input; thorough analysis and well-
thought-out planning; strong long-term promotion; and excellent, forward-thinking
practices related to teen ser vice and customer ser vice. It’s about being open-minded and
collaborative.
The second edition of Teen Spaces: The Step-by-Step Library Makeover is a handbook
for public and school libraries that shows how to successfully develop inviting, comfort-
able, user-centered environments to attract and engage their teenage users. It also illus-
trates how these environments are essential in transforming the role and image of libraries
and encouraging positive use for recreational and educational activities.
Who NeeDS ThiS Book?
This book is a how-to manual for anyone in a public or school library who serves teenag-
ers, including frontline staff, teen librarians, school media specialists, and youth and teen
ser vices supervisors. This book is also appropriate for administrators, board members,
and library supporters such as Friends of the Library and parent-teacher groups who are
v
vi Preface
interested in better understanding twenty-first-century library facilities design and ser-
vice to teenagers. Whether you are building a new library, renovating an existing facility,
or working on a facility revamp, Teen Spaces provides key success factors and best prac-
tices for developing dedicated, attractive, safe, motivating, teen-oriented space. Both
the process and the end result provide a way for public and school libraries to acknowl-
edge teen customers and their needs and to build a sense of teen belonging, community
involvement, and library appreciation.
USiNg The MATeriALS iN ThiS Book SUCCeSSfULLy
The second edition of Teen Spaces is intended to help libraries develop effective, dynamic
spaces for teenage customers. In order to accomplish these goals, this book focuses on
teen space as it relates to
impact
marketing and research
teen involvement and adult-youth collaborations
assessment
planning
implementation
promotion
policy and practice
evaluation
This framework is universal for facilities planning in the twenty-first century. Once it is
understood, it can be applied to any project.
In order to make the ideas in this book more concrete, information and best prac-
tices from public and school libraries worldwide are included. A number of templates,
worksheets, professional resources, and model library information can be found in the
appendixes. A supplemental web page that includes photographs of teen spaces from
around the world and downloadable worksheets can be found at www.ala.org/editions/
extras/Bolan09690.
The AUThor’S ViSioN
I have worked with teenagers in libraries for more than eighteen years and have over
thirteen years’ experience in library facilities planning and design. I’ve worked in school,
academic, and public libraries and acquired both frontline and management-level
experience.
I feel strongly that libraries of all shapes, sizes, and budgets need to more actively
engage their teen customers in facilities design, providing an excellent opportunity for
libraries to connect with their customers, in the short and long term. Strong facilities
planning, design, and implementation are major elements in ensuring the future of
li braries. I am certain that through proper facilities education, committed and ongoing
Preface vii
collaborations, well-thought-out planning, and open-minded administrators and com-
munities, public and school libraries can move strongly into the future. Instead of
becoming irrelevant places of the past, libraries will become increasingly important and
significant to teenagers in their youth and into adulthood.
Note
1. Bette-Lee Fox, “Library Buildings 2006: Betwixt and Be Teen,” Library Journal 131, no. 19
(December 15, 2006), www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6396445.html.

Acknowledgments
A s with the first edition, the second edition of Teen Spaces was a true collaboration
between me and many talented adults and teenagers. My thanks and appreciation
go out to all those who gave their time, ideas, and support. You inspired me to
write a second edition, and I know you will surely inspire thousands around the world.
To my research assistants Christine Ayar and Beth Overhauser and to my mother
Linda Bolan, for their dedication and constant effort in gathering information and con-
tacting model libraries.
To my husband and partner Rob Cullin, whose love, continuous encouragement,
tireless support, and dedication to libraries made it possible for me to write this book
while working full-time and planning a wedding.
To Laura Isenstein and Jim Alsip for sharing their knowledge and advice and, most
important, for their friendship.
To the dedicated, forward-thinking architects, designers, and vendors out there who
are not only open to new ideas and concepts but also shared their ideas and collaborated
with me, especially Rolf Erikson, Jack Hedge and Design Group, Jane Dedering and
Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA), Marc Ciccarelli of Studio Techne, and Janet
Nelson and the staff of DEMCO Library Interiors.
Special thanks to all the gifted public and school library staff who contributed
photos, ideas, and success stories, and to all the teens who provided valuable input and
information.
ix