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East Brunswick Public
NJ
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Waukesha Public Library,
Waukesha,WI
• Develop a seating plan – Plan around
teens’ needs, such as socializing, group and
individual study, computing, etc. Identify seating
that will adapt to diverse situations and tasks.
• Set the tone – Seating has a huge impact on
teen spaces. Choose items that are comfortable,
durable, visually appealing, and support the
area’s overall look and feel.
Attractive,
comfortable furnishings are essential
to drawing teens into the library and making them want
to stay. Whether you opt for soft seating or task chairs,
focus on comfort, multi-functionality, and portability.
Encourage teens to spread out and work in groups with
study tables and chairs.
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 2
• Test before buying – To see how well furniture
will meet customers’ needs, place sample chairs
and a comment box near your teen area. Post a
sign that says “What do you think?”
Westerville Public Library,
Westerville, OH
Designed by DesignGroup Arch
itects
Columbus, OH and Covington,
KY
3 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
East Brunswick Public Library,
East Brunswick, NJ
• Create functional areas – Accommodate
growth, change, and many activities - individual and
group study, socializing, computing and other
Libraries
North West Library, Worthington
Worthington, OH
itects
Designed by Design Group Arch
KY
Columbus, OH and Covington,
technologies, instruction (schools), and gaming and
other programs (public libraries).
• Think
portability – Portable furniture, shelving,
display units, and staff service points help
accommodate a variety of activities. Seek items that
are lightweight, adjustable, ergonomic, and have
casters or a small footprint.
• Stretch your space – Use portable room dividers
and shelving fixtures that can be easily relocated.
Mount small display fixtures on windows, walls, pillars,
and ends of shelving ranges.
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 4
Teen
space has a casual, easy way about it. Design flexibility
accommodates your overall program, promoting diverse
services, collections and activities. As the needs of libraries and
teens change from day to day and year to year, flexible space
becomes a good long-term investment.
5 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
Teaneck High School Library,
Teaneck, NJ
• Make collection easy to “shop”– Displays
guide teens to materials and other points of interest.
A dynamic, well merchandised environment
engages teens, encouraging them to explore
Library,
Far Rockaway Branch
Queens Borough, NY
and linger.
• Maximize location – Create displays on tables,
ends of shelves, window ledges, support pillars, ends
of aisles, walls, windows, end panels, counter tops,
etc. Consider fixtures such as easels, slatwall, grid
shelving, zigzag, wall pockets, floor stands, bins, slant
shelves, and other displays.
Good
display and merchandising techniques help teens find
what they didn’t know they wanted. It’s all about making the
library attractive to teens by showcasing items they will want to
see, handle, and ultimately, borrow. Use a variety of displays,
locations and fixtures for the biggest impact.
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 6
• See your space with teen eyes –
Are items easy to find? Are high-interest and new
materials front and center? Do displays include
user-friendly, visually appealing signage?
Oxford Public Library
,
Oxford, MI
7 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
y,
Oxford Public Librar
Oxford, MI
Jacksonville Public
Librar y,
Jacksonville, FL
• Enhance collection & services – Signs
promoting teen services should use a strong
image, to-the-point text, or a simple mix of both.
Be creative, yet simple.
• Take a teen perspective – Step back and look
at signs through a teen’s eye. What works? What
doesn’t? Also, get teens directly involved
in wording, design and placement.
• Succeed with all shapes, sizes, budgets
The sky’s the limit with signage styles and design. But
a professional look doesn’t have to mean big
bucks. The shorter the lifespan of the sign, the less
it should cost.
Great
St. Louis Library, Schlafly Branch,
St. Louis, MO
service to teens starts with helping them help
themselves. Get teens where they need to go with signs
that are visually appealing, well-placed, appropriately
scaled, and user-friendly (i.e. avoid jargon such as the
acronym “YA”). Consider digital signage in high-traffic
areas or to communicate dynamic information.
Waukesha Public Librar y,
Waukesha, WI
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 8
9 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
• Poll your users – Survey your teens on preferred
equipment, formats (e.g. Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, etc.)
and titles teens would like to see. In addition, get
input and assistance with organizing gaming programs.
• Be proactive – Market gaming and its benefits via
informational sessions for parents and staff.
Have adults directly participate in gaming so they
know what it's all about.
Gaming
has an increasingly positive impact on teen participation
in libraries. It comes in all shapes and sizes–electronic and board
games, collectible card games, chess and gaming clubs, and more.
No matter the format, gaming involves interactivity and storytelling
that bridge age, gender and ethnicity.
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 10
• Create the ultimate gaming experience
Provide comfortable, portable furnishings,
area rugs for floor seating, signage and storage
for equipment. Offer both electronic and board
games, plus gaming guides and books.
11 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
Pikes Peak Public Library,
Pikes Peak, CO
Spartanburg County Public Libra
ries,
Spartanburg, SC
• Allow collaborative computing –
Allocate more space between computer
workstations to let teens work together. Seek
portable computer chairs with a small
footprint so teens can easily move them.
• Go beyond computers – Think MP3
listening stations, sound domes, flat-panel TVs,
gaming equipment, circulating hardware,
and digital signage. Remember the library’s
virtual space – the teen Web site.
• Get wired – Considerations like portable
Technology
laptops or listening stations require electricity
checks. Are there ample outlets, and are they
accessible? Ideally, install floor outlets for
instructional, listening, and viewing areas
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 12
is a teen magnet that will draw teens into your
space, whether it’s “regulars” or hard-to-reach users. A variety of
technology is vital as it connects teens to the library, promoting both
your facility and services. Teen-friendly technologies include
computers, listening stations, TVs, gaming equipment, and more.
Southfield Public Library,
Southfield, MI
13 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561
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ry Distric
ak Libra
Pikes Pe , CO
ak
Pikes Pe
St. Louis County Library,
Clive Cave Branch
St. Louis, MO
• Be Creative – Use unexpected items in
unexpected places. To develop your space’s
style and character, collaborate with teens –
they often have the best, most creative ideas.
• Create Personality – Draw teens into your
space with accessories that are welcoming,
visually strong, and versatile. Take into account
teens’ needs, likes and dislikes.
• Hold design and decor meetings
Focus discussion on one or two topics per
meeting. Show samples or photos of furnishings,
paint colors, flooring, lighting, accessories, etc.
Have teens discuss or vote on their preferences.
Successful
teen spaces have a teen-friendly look and feel—warm,
inviting, and comfortable. Whether you go modern or retro, classic or
sophisticated, the options are endless. Get teens involved in the
process, and consider décor strengths and weaknesses of your overall
library or school. What interesting features, colors, or design elements will
you incorporate? Whatever direction you take, DEMCO has the
experience to help you succeed! Call today! 800.747.7561
Create Inspiring Teen Places with DEMCO • 14
Leominster Pu
blic Library,
Leominster, M
A
15 • CALL DEMCO TODAY! 800.747.7561