Perhaps that is why I've always been fond of libraries - it was a source of comfort, peace, enchantment, and adventures when I was little (and it still is today!). A day to the library with my mother and siblings was considered a treat, and I couldn't wait to immerse myself behind the rows of shelves, searching for the next book that would become my new best friend. The smell of the pages, the crinkles in the overly worn and loved books, the creaking sound of brand new books' bindings, and the beautiful jacket covers could entertain me for hours.
Besides the books themselves, it was the atmosphere of the library that kept drawing us back. In the front entrance of our public library there was a large Victorian dollhouse with many, many rooms. We couldn't wait to see it, for each time the furniture swapped, the dresses on the dolls were changed, and depending on the season there were pumpkins on the front porch or a barbeque party in the front lawn. There were couches, chairs, benches, footrests, pillows, and even blankets in different sections of the library. It was our home away from home, especially on rainy days, and the dream of becoming a librarian was stamped on my brain from early on.
Each library is different, especially now with the ever-changing role of the library itself. However, different or not, a welcoming environment is something every library should have. Children (and adults!) should think of the school library (and public library) as a safe, comforting, and warm place to be, whether they're diving into homework, escaping reality in their favorite book, or becoming a creator at a Makerspace. If you're the lucky person that gets to be the guardian of a library and you don't find your library environment a welcoming place to be, chances are a lot of other people don't either. If you feel like you're stuck in a rut and want to bring some life and warmth into your library, try these few tips:
Add Warmth
- If you enjoy snuggling on a couch with a cozy throw and pillow, think about adding some of these accessories to different spots in your library. We added this idea to our middle school and right away we saw students snuggling with a pillow, immersed in Divergent. You're never too old to be comfortable.
- Reading lamps aren't just for reading. We know that bright, florescent lighting isn't the greatest source of light when it comes to cozy reading, so if you have some space on tables or sturdy bookcases, add some reading lamps to emit a warm glow. During the winter months we added battery-operated candles on windowsills and random bookcases - it didn't give off much light but it was a nice accessory when looking out to the grey skies and harsh snow.
Add Color
- A bright, colorful sign actually saying "Welcome to the Library!" can make a big difference, especially if there's no evidence of a welcome at all. It's easy to make a simple bunting banner using free resources online or stencils and triangle-shaped paper (make sure to laminate so you can reuse). If you're not someone who likes to create, Etsy has a lot of banners you can choose from (here and here just to get you started).
- With so many people offering their artistic services online, there's no need to only have posters on your walls that are bland, vendor-oriented, or from decades ago. Try looking for literature quotes, character decals/posters, and new and classic literature decals. Here are some ideas to get you started: here, here, and here.
- If you don't have the budget to purchase new, bright, colorful furniture, try implementing the use of beanbag chairs in little nooks. Depending on your school, you can find great deals on Craigslist, garage sales, or still spend less than $50 for a new one at Walmart.
- Put books on display! Display your new books front and center with bright, attention-getting signs! Or pull books from the shelves that don't get checked out often and display them - getting those abandoned books on display is a little trick to get them back into students' hands.
Add Music
- Yes, libraries can have music playing. In fact, I would go so far as to say they should have music playing. One of the first things we did when I worked directly in the middle school was turn on some music. It was so quiet, uncomfortable, and slightly awkward. Even we didn't like having so much silence. Now when the students come in to read, chat, study, or whatever, they can do so while listening to Bach, Hans Zimmer, Aaron Zigman, even instrumental songs from Disney or Pixar movies. (When the kids get excited about hearing a song from How to Train Your Dragon while they're reading, how can you think music doesn't belong in a library?) Teachers have told us what a difference it makes in their students' behaviors and how much they love the calming atmosphere the music brings. Win, win. (Search "Classical Radio" in Pandora if you need help getting started.)
Add Movement
- This is probably the one idea not everyone can add to their library. We were lucky enough to have a TV in our library that originally was used for book trailers that the students could watch and listen to. However, we noticed that because we don't have set times for classrooms to be in our library and the students come in sporadically (mostly during advisory or quick lunch periods), the book trailers were not being watched or enjoyed. After a few months of the TV being ignored we decided to use it to enhance our welcoming space. In the winter months a warm fireplace - complete with crackling fire sounds and shifting logs - might be playing, or to escape the cold, a warm beach scene with crashing waves and swaying palm trees might be needed. Meadows with rustling grass and birds chirping, colorful fish tanks, babbling brooks, campfires by the lake, sunsets and sunrises, rain pitter-pattering in the rain forest, or even videos of Hubble's telescopic images of space are all things people might see when visiting the library. (Search "relaxing nature videos" in Youtube if you need help getting started.)
Above all else, it's down to you to bring the welcoming atmosphere to your library. Be excited to see students or staff when they visit your library. Introduce them to new books or just your all-time favorite books (most of my regular visitors know my favorite book is Pride & Prejudice). Ask them what they thought of their latest check-out. Ask them what types of books they'd like to see more of in your library. Smile. Be kind. And remember how lucky you are that you're the guardian of such a magical place.
If you have any ideas on how to make a library space more welcoming, send me an email - nicole_tran@edenp.org - or leave a comment below!
Have a wonderful day,
Nikki Tran
District-Wide Media Specialist
Eden Prairie Schools
District-Wide Media Specialist
Eden Prairie Schools
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