WFEducation’sGuide
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TheChangingRoleofLibraries
Many libraries have transformed from quiet, static spaces into vibrant hubs of activity. Whether in a public or school setting, libraries are now expected to serve multiple functions— ranging from study areas and meeting rooms to technology centres and event venues. This shift necessitates a more flexibleapproachtolibrarydesign.
Librariesshouldbeabletoreconfiguretheirspacesquicklyand easily to accommodate different activities and user groups while still being able to display their bookstock. Mobile shelving and furniture provide a practical solution to this challenge, allowing libraries to adapt to changing needs withoutcostlyrenovations.
Exampleofhowyoucanquicklyrearrangeyourspaceusingthesameelements...
UnderstandingMobileLibraryShelving
Simplyput,mobileshelvingsystems,areshelvingunitsequipped withcastorsthatallowthemtobeeasilymovedorreconfigured. Thesesystemsaredesignedtomaximisestorageefficiencyand flexibilitywithinalimitedspace.
Threekeybenefitsofmobileshelvinginclude:
SpaceEfficiency-
Mobileshelvingreducestheneedforfixedlayouts,allowingmore booksandmaterialstobestoredwithinasmallerfootprint.
EaseofAccess-
Despitetheincreasedstoragedensity,materialsremaineasily accessiblethankstotheabilitytoopenupaislesasneeded.
Customisability-
Shelfheightscanbead ustedorreconfiguredtoaccommodate differentsizesofbooks,multimedia,andothermaterials.
PublicLibraries
apubliclibrary? rexperiencebycreatinga ent.Patronscaneasily micallyrearrangedto ections,orthematic teasiertocreatequiet eded.
Activities
ingcommunityevents, bileshelvingmakesitsimple klytransformingareading ce.Thisadaptabilityensures tivepartofthecommunity. stalledmanymobilelibrary ketomakemobile,getin onwithourexperts...
Discussaspace
SchoolLibraries
eshelvingimproveaschoollibrary?
micLearningEnvironment
recriticalspacesforstudentlearning, dcreativity.Mobilefurnitureallowsschool ilyreconfiguredtosupportdifferentlearning es.Openspacesforgroupworkorcosyspaces ding.
aborationandInteraction
ostersamoreinteractiveandcollaborative ment.Teacherscaneasilyrearrangethe ategroupdiscussions,peerreviews,orpro ecthisflexibilitysupportsmoderneducational emphasisestudentengagementandactive
ecialEvents
mayhostspecialeventssuchasauthorvisits, udentpresentations.Withmobilefurniture,the ftlyrearrangedtoaccommodatetheseevents, versatileandvaluablespacewithintheschool.
ImplementingMobileSolutions
So,you’rereadyforamoremobilespace...
Beforeinvestinginmobilefurniture,it’simportanttoassessyour library’sspecificneeds.Thingstoconsiderinclude:
SpaceLimitations
Howmuchspacedoyouhave,andhowcanmobilesystemshelp optimiseit?
UsersDemographics
Whataretheprimaryactivitiesofyourusers?Dotheyneedmore studyspace,groupareas,oropenspaceforevents?Childrenor adults?
CollectionSizeandType
Whatkindsofmaterialsdoyoustore,andhowoftendotheyneed tobeaccessed?
Ifyouneedhelptoplanyourspaceandwhatyoumightneed, don’thesitatetocontactusforaFREEconsultationHERE!
Need help measuring your library space? Download our useful guide!
EnhancingYourUsersLibraryExperience
Awell-designedlibrarygoesbeyondsimplybeinga repositoryforbooks;it’saspacewherepatronsofallages feelwelcome,inspired,andengaged.Strategicuseof aesthetics,graphics,colour,focalpoints,andsignagecan transformalibraryfromafunctionalspaceintoavibrant, accessible,anden oyableenvironment.
Incorporatingcomfortableseatingandmodernfurniture canenhancethevisualandphysicalexperience.Avisually pleasingenvironmentisparticularlyimportantincreating awelcomingspaceforyoungreaders,whomaybe encouragedtostaylongerandexploremoresimply becausethespaceisattractiveandpleasant.
Graphicsareapowerfultoolforcommunication andasetheticsinalibrary,whethertheyareused tolabelsections,provideinstructions,createa genrezone,ortosimplybrightenupthespace.
Ifyouaddgraphicsorcolourful elementstomobilefurniture,you canrearrangeyourspaceatwill, constantlyreinventingthespaceto engageyourusers!
TheImportanceofAccessibility
Accessibilityinlibrariesiscrucialtoensuringthatallmembersofthecommunity,regardlessofability,canfully benefitfromtheresources,services,andspacesprovided.Atrulyaccessiblelibraryisonethatmeetstheneedsof diverseusers,includingthosewithphysical,sensory,andcognitivedisabilities.
Librariesarepublicspacesmeanttoserveeveryoneinthecommunity,fromchildrentoseniorsandpeoplewith disabilities.Toachievethis,accessibilitymustbeembeddedinthelibrary’sdesignandoperations.
Oneofthemostpracticalaspectsofaccessibilityinlibrariesisthedesignoftheshelving.Traditionalhighperimeter shelvescanpresentabarrierforindividualswhousewheelchairsorthosewhohavelimitedmobility,makingit difficultorimpossibletoreachmaterials.Incorporatingdifferentheightshelves,includinglowershelves,ensuresthat allpatronscanindependentlyaccessbooksandotherresourceswithoutneedingassistance.
Shelvesdesignedatvaryingheightscanalso accommodatechildren,shorterindividuals,orelderly patronswhomaystrugglewithhighershelves.By offeringarangeofshelvingheights,librariesempower alluserstoengagewiththecollectionontheirown terms,fosteringindependenceandremovingbarriers toaccess. Everna™Motionshelvingisavailablein1200mmand 1500mmsoyoucancreateaspaceforchildren,teens, andadults.Forsmallerchildren,considerfurniture suchaskinderboxes,youcanshopourEverna™ Discoveryrangehere!
MobileSeating
Integratingtheseamongstshelvesisthebestwayto encouragespontaneousreadingandallowingyour patronstositsomewherecomfortandemerge themselvesinabookforhours!Makingitmobile meansthatyoucanlocateseatingwhereverand wheneveryouneedit.
SoloDenorCave
Anidealdenforasinglepersonlooking foraquietplacetoread.
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DuoWindow
Adouble-width,double-depthden, perfectforseatingseveralpeopleorfor onepersontoputtheirfeetup!
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DuoDenorCave
Theultimateplacetounwind,relax, andimmersethemselvesinagreat book.
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BudgetandFunding
Budget!Oftenthebarrierbetweenyouandyourdreamlibraryspace!
Tohelpfundyourvision,youcouldexplorevariousfundingoptions, includinggrants,fundraising,andpartnershipswithlocalbusinesses orcommunityorganisations.
YoucandownloadWFEducation’sFundingGuide,whichcoversa brieflistoffundingopportunitiesavailabletoschoolandpublic librariesintheUK,aswellastipsandtricksforapplication!
Investinginsmalleritemssuchas kinderboxeswhenbudgetallows, helpyoutorefreshyourspace withoutrequiringalargebudget allinonego.Selectasupplier whereyoucanmixandmatchbut canmaintainacohesivelookand feelifyouareaddingtoyour spaceasyougo!
ALibraryisNeverFinished....
Sometimesbudgetisthebiggestbarriertoadoptinganew mobilespace.Fortunatelytherearemanymobileaccessories thatcanhelpyouenhanceyourspaceandincreaseyourbook capacityinasmallspace,atagreatprice!
Everna™Discovery
Kinderboxesandbrowserboxes,perfectfor childrenandteenspacestohelpencourage bookbrowsingandreading.
Availablefrom£135.00...
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Everna™BookTowers
Agreatwaytomaximiseyourbookcapacitywhile savingfloorspace!Availableinthreeheights: 1000mm,1400mmand1700mm,there’sanoption foreverysectionofyourlibrary.
Availablefrom£585.00...
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