For someone who is not regularly around small kids, it’s always a treat to visit an elementary school library – you see just how much thought goes into making everything size-appropriate for the patrons! That kind of usability is important in all libraries, but in a library like this it is clearly on display and fun to see.
This library is a fun open-concept design! No walls cut them off from the rest of the school, so everything feels very open and flexible. They are recessed below the hallways around them, so there is privacy and a sense of specific place; and I love this feeling of being connected to the daily activities around them.
Continuing the idea of design making the library connect with the kid patrons, this art on the wall was just lovely. Kids could see this and be really inspired to read books – but also to just dream about great things!
At CMLE Headquarters, we are big fans of camping; so it was especially fun to see that this month’s displays were camping-themed! Amy is demonstrating how adorable her display is, as well as showing off some books. The bookshelves surrounding her all have camping books and small camping items, continuing the theme and encouraging kids to pick up books that may be new to them. These kinds of themes can be so successful in helping to encourage patrons to try books – and even to carry home armloads of them!
I absolutely loved this display of theme and comfort! And I was not alone – these comfy chairs were constantly occupied by patrons, and I had to snap this quickly to avoid them! (Just as a general rule: it’s a good idea not to post pictures of kids unless you have approval from their parents. We are always concerned about privacy; so post no photos of library patrons here during our visits to member libraries.)
It is always good to see a library being supported by patrons; and in this library their parent group has helped them with several items of furniture.
These little toadstools were perfect for kids! While I took this photo, some kids were sitting on others and when I asked if these were comfortable for sitting, they said yes and looked happy with their books and cool seating arrangements.
Every library needs a cool rug, especially when you have kiddos in your population of users! This rug was another gift of the school’s parents’ organization. It’s always great to see parent supporting the mission of the library – a crucial part of student education!
Kids have some basic makerspace tools to work with in this library, giving them the opportunity to expand their creativity!
And they also have access to computers in the classrooms, and to this computer lab just off the library. Information and education come from all kinds of sources, and the patrons of this library are able to gather and use information from books, computers, and all the great tools available to them!
It’s clear we love to visit our member libraries – but have we been to YOUR library yet?? No?? That’s tragic!! Let’s remedy that right away! Fill this out to tell us some days that will be best for you. We want to visit all of our members over the next few months, so let’s get to you soon!