Designing Space for Children and Teens in Libraries and Public Places

Sandra Feinberg · James R. Keller, AIA

Jun 2010 · American Library Association

About this ebook

Providing tips, suggestions, and guidelines on the critical issues that surround designing spaces for children and teens, this how-to book will help you create a space that they will never want to leave. This must-have guide includes

• How to select an architect or design professional
• The importance of including YA librarians in the design and implementation
• Information on how children and teens view and use space
• 20 color photos of example spaces

Whether your space is large or small, in a library or public place, this resource will give you creative and practical ideas for using the space to its full potential!

About the author

Sandra Feinberg has over thirty-five years of public library experience and is currently the Director of the Middle Country Public Library, the largest and busiest library on Long Island (NY). From 2000 through 2004, she oversaw two renovation and expansion projects, which increased building capacity from 66,000 to 107,000 square feet, much of which is devoted to children and teens. An advocate for improving the quality of life for families, she firmly believes in the ability of public libraries to be family and community centered institutions. Under her leadership, what began as a local library program for babies, toddlers and parents has become a national model – the Family Place LibrariesTM initiative, now in over 250 libraries in 24 states. In addition to co-authoring eight books focused on library service to youth and families, Sandra Feinberg is a library school instructor, frequent presenter and consultant. Ms. Feinberg received her MLS from the University of Michigan and a MPS from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She lives in Stony Brook with her husband and has two grown children living in the Southwest. James R. Keller, AIA has over 25 years of experience as an architect and has been with VITETTA Architects and Engineers in Philadelphia since 1986. He is a Principal with VITETTA and Director of Library Planning and Design for the firm, where he has designed over 100 library spaces for children including youth spaces for the Broward County Public Library, FL; the Enoch Pratt Free Library, MD; the Horsham Township Library, PA; the Lexington Public Library, KY; the Lower Merion Township Library System, PA; the Marion County Library System, FL; the Free Library of Philadelphia, PA; and the San Antonio Public Library, TX. He served as Library Design Consultant for the Santiago Public Library (Chile) and is the Principal Architect for the new Children's Public Library in Muscat, Oman. Mr. Keller has served as a guest juror for architectural studios at Philadelphia University and Yale University. He is a frequent presenter for national and international organizations including PLA, AIA, IFLA and ALA. Mr. Keller received his BA, BS and MA degrees from Ball State University and lives in Philadelphia.