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it is best to seek professional advice from library specialists. Not only will this save you time but also help maximise your budget to get eff ective, efficient, and enduring results.”

Furnware Product Manager Christine Shing said libraries are transforming as education evolves. “Modern libraries are places of experience and discovery with centrally located resources and easy technological access. The careful combination of various design elements brings a modern library vision to life.

“Some key aspects are colour, light, furniture, noise levels and connectivity. Soft furnishing, for instance, brings colour and comfort to the library and helps to soften noise. In a lively library, acoustics become very important – ceilings, walls, floors, and furniture all have a role to play in dampening sound.

“Choosing furniture of diff ering heights, innovative shelving solutions and combining hard surfaces with soft materials will help create zones that naturally att ract students to engage in specific activities. For digital discovery, ensure easy online access throughout the library.

“Great libraries make everyone feel welcome. Mobile furniture that is flexible and agile accommodates multiple activities and supports students wherever they like to learn.

“Soft furniture, floor cushion pads and study nooks are perfect for creating focus or social zones. Tables with whiteboard surfaces encourage collaborative learning, and Lego tables with built-in storage keep everything tidy.

“For flexible seating, there is a trend towards off ering various seating options and heights, from cushion-type floor seating to sitt ing-height student chairs, to modular couches and ottomans, through to high stools. This creates a dynamic environment providing options for all learning activities and giving students a greater choice of where and how they best like learning.”

Annabel Parlett a from Resource Furniture said libraries should utilise natural light as much as possible. “Large windows with beautiful views, are best for quiet reading, breakout or study areas. Students are more likely to stay and read or study in the library if they have a cosy spot near a window.

“Keeping shelving low at the front of the library creates great visibility throughout the library space. High shelving can make the library look smaller and dull in some areas. It also provides staff a great line of sight,” Ms Parlett a said.

“Mobile library shelving, can be configured to create nooks and study spaces, and can also help to reduce noise. This is useful if a class is working in the library, while other students are studying independently. It also provides flexibility to open up the space to create larger areas.

“Mobile flip tables are great for older students. They can be used for quiet study group collaboration. A top tip would be to include table sizes that can be grouped together. For example, 1600 wide by 800 deep. This size is perfect for two students but can also be clustered together in groups for several students. Mobile tables can also be flipped and stacked to the side if the space is required for other activities. “Organic shapes complementing the surrounding environment and complementary colours have been recent design trends, especially blues and oranges for junior primary areas. Products such as round ottomans and low stools that can easily be moved and reconfigured have been very popular.”