School-Age Spaces

Designing a school-age space can be challenging due to the large age range, and the large differences in mental/physical development between younger and older school-age patrons. Having a flexible space can help accommodate all of the potential ways that your school-age patrons might wish to use it. Here are a few key components to consider:

• Rearrangeable Furniture: While the school-age space might be in the same room as the early childhood space, you might consider using furniture on wheels to help partition the room to give some privacy to different groups using the space. Putting shelving on wheels so you can move them around can help separate different age groups, and allow for multiple uses at the same time.
• Safety: Although some school-age children might be old enough to use the library appropriately on their own, it is still good to make sure you have clear sight lines to monitor everyone who is in the space.
• Technology: Online gaming is more of a draw for this age group, and designating a group of computers for school-age children to use can help draw them to your library, and also help avoid any conflicts with adults who wish to use the computers.
• Hanging Out Space: Especially for the older kids in this age group, having a place to gather with their friends becomes more important. While a permanent space might be difficult to set aside, you could designate a few tables in the children’s room for an hour after school for them to use, or something similar.
• Level of Sound: As school-age kids start to seek out spaces to hang out and spend time with friends, you might notice an increase in volume or noise. As social connections are becoming more important during this time, you might want to consider revising your volume/noise policy so that you can advocate for your school-age kids to have that space to socialize and hang out.