Revolutionize Your Teen Areas: 4 Proven Traffic-Boosting Tactics

Teen spaces are growing in popularity as libraries continue to evolve. They are great spaces for teens to maintain a little independence while also being in a controlled and supervised environment. Recently I’ve had the privilege of working with several great libraries to help them renovate or construct their new spaces. And after lots of long discussions and plenty of research, here are a few key things to consider including on your next library project.

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1.  CREATIVE GROUPINGS

One of the most frequent requests I get when working with library directors and their teams are booth seating for the teen areas. But we try to take this a step further by designing a space with multiple furniture groupings (see Thonet Moss 3 collection above) to appeal to as many different groups as possible. Booths are great and you can also use individual booth carrels for individual use. We’ve had these made using traditional systems furniture with modular seating. Beautiful finished product. Study tables are still great but use fewer of them. Adding modular seating groups are great too and it’s always a good idea to make furniture mobile so that teens can group as many or as few together as they need.  

2.  POWER, POWER AND MORE POWER 

With the use of tablets, cell phones and laptops increasing exponentially these days, the best possible thing a Library can add to their space plan is power in as many locations as possible. This is super easy in new construction but a bit trickier in a renovation. In that case, make sure to maximize the use of existing power to the best of your ability. Add power to all of your furniture pieces and locate pieces that don’t require power near outlets wherever possible. You can add power grommets now with standard plug receptacles as well as with USB data outlets. If you’re not sure about your options, discuss them with your furniture rep. They can give you all the intel you need to make informed decisions that will make your newly designed space adequately functional. 

3.  OPEN SPACES

Another request (well more of a complaint actually) we get is the amount of visibility and security there is or is not in the teen areas. Let’s face it, teens are teens and sometimes they need a little extra supervision. Part of the point to creating these unique spaces for teens is to give them a supervised and safe space to gather and learn. One of the best ways to achieve this is to make sure they have the openness and visibility required to maintain that supervision. But from an aesthetic angle, the openness is also greatly desired to achieve a light and airy atmosphere. Openness can be achieved by locating the teen space near a help desk or the circulation desk and by eliminating holes or dark spaces in your space plan. Exposed ceilings and windows can also be added to maintain an open feel to the space. 

4.  A LITTLE INDPENDENCE