Updated, Interactive Children's Library in Plainfield, IN

Kimberly Bolan and Associates, in collaboration with Lehner Designs, recently planned and redesigned the 8,100 SF children's room of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Library in Plainfield, IN.

Entrance into the Renovated Children's Room

The overall goal was to create an updated, interactive, 21st century environment with broad appeal to children ages 0 through 12 as well as parents and caregivers.  The new space is "zoned" into various areas including an early literacy/toddler area, a social space for young school-aged children and pre-teens, a study area, and a creative center called the Imagination Hub and Art Zone. 

This budget-friendly redesign included minimal construction, the re-use of the library's existing steel shelving, the re-purposing of its large 1987 service desk, which now serves as part of the Imagination Hub, and the inclusion of interactive, hands-on activities, for all ages, throughout the room.  

This is the second space redesign project KBA has done with Plainfield-Guilford Library. Visit my Flickr site for photos of the children's space and more.

Face Out Shelving for Children

It's not a secret that I'm a huge fan of face out or "flip-through" shelving for children's libraries.  Face out collections engage users and increase circulation.  If you want kids to connect to collections you need to show them what you have and make materials easily accessible.  Excite them and encourage them to interact with the collection by showing them the colorful and interesting cover designs.  Don't bore them or discourage them with rows and rows of spines.

I know that many in our profession are scared by this idea because they say 1) staff and adults won't be able to find things and/or 2) things will be out of order.  My response to this....

Many may think that spine out display is easier for staff and adults, but it's definitely not easier for or appealing to kids and, to me, the #1 goal for children's libraries is to connect kids to the collection.  And, according to several libraries who have implemented face out, flip-through shelving, it can be easily accessible to adults too.  The key is to think about the system you set up, how you process the materials, etc.

Over the past several months I've been doing a great deal of research on and analysis of picture book and other children's collections.  I've found that with some weeding (sometimes some pretty significant weeding) and transitioning to flip-through shelving, circulation of materials is going up anywhere from 20 - 40%.  If you're looking for some good examples to share with decision makers, the Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien, IL has had great success.  See their YouTube video for more information.  The Frankfort Public Library District in Frankfort, IL has also reported significant increases in circulation.  Several of my clients are also in the process of transitioning.  A few have already, in a few short months, seen the positive results of both weeding and flip-though display.

When looking for flip-through / face out / bin shelving, there are many products on the market to choose from.  LFI's Biblomodel shelving is one of many good options.  Both Indian Prairie and Frankfort use this type of shelving.

If you're viewing this post, please refer to my 9/24/14 post with the updated resource guide.

ALSC National Conference 2012

Boy, what a day in Indianapolis, IN!  This morning I presented "What's Hot in Children's Spaces" at the ALSC National Institute 2012 and I couldn't have asked for 1) a more gorgeous Saturday morning and 2) a more terrific audience.  I absolutely thrive on presentations where the audience asks questions and offers ideas based on their own experiences.  Thanks to all of you who participated!

So, as I promised, here is a copy of the presentation and a few of the bonus materials I mentioned, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.  Again, don't hesitate to email or call if you need anything else.

Thanks again everyone!

What's Hot in Children's Spaces

Flip Through Shelving Spreadsheet

Collection Turnover Spreadsheet

More Online Summer Reading

Take a look at what the Farmington (NM) Public Library is doing for children, tweens, teens, and adults for their 2007 summer reading program. They’re even promoting it via their online catalog.

Farmington Public Library – Main Summer Reading Page

Farmington Public Library – Online Catalog


The Columbus (OH) Metropolitan Library’s Summer Reading Club for Kids, Teens, and Adults is also wonderful.

Columbus Metropolitan Library


For more online summer reading info, see my posting from May 23.

Online Summer Reading - Kids and Teens

More and more libraries are getting on board and rolling out online summer reading for kids and teens. Not only is this a great way to draw in young customers and promote your library's website and online resources, it is also a terrific way to market to new participants and increase active participation of all involved through online registration, online logging, individual home pages, automated prize alerts, review and information sharing, and more. Remember Prince William County's success last year (See the Sept. 2006 posting)?

Automating summer reading is a huge draw for busy families. It is also a smart library management move as it streamlines tasks and saves countless staff and volunteer hours. No more counting cards, counting logs, tearing up slips of paper for drawings! Check out what some libraries across the nation are doing: