Libraries have always provided an important space for supporting children’s literacy and self-led learning. However, as modern educational needs continue to evolve, libraries are no longer just about books and have become places for active learning with community programmes, digital literacy and maker spaces, where children and teens are free to explore ideas, becoming a key focus.
Consequently, effective use of library space has never been more important. At Instinct Furniture we are committed to providing products that meet the needs of the modern library, now and in the future. Our pods and desks, with their smart, friendly design, feature mobility and height adjustability, enable them to adapt easily to support librarians as they run a range of programmes for children and teens.

YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1400 teamed with our attention-grabbing Lollipop Illuminated Sign Pole encourages easy interaction.
Creating inviting help and information stations
Libraries provide a safe space where children are able to explore and learn, always knowing there is librarian to help. At Instinct Furniture, our cosy, curved designs and bright colour options create inviting spaces for children. In addition, height adjustability allows librarians and teachers to work with children naturally, helping them to feel welcome and at home. This is illustrated at Westgate Library, where our YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1600 Pod, in a happy yellow, teamed with YAKETY YAK Support Caddy, provided the ideal librarian’s station in their busy children’s library.

YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1600 Pod teamed with YAKETY YAK Nova Support Caddy supports a comfortable atmosphere in the children’s library at Westgate Library.
And again, at Waverley library, Ontario, Canada…

YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1400 Pod provides an inviting help point at Waverley Library.
Creating spaces for interactive learning
In the last few decades community programs have become an increasingly important part of library services, with approximately 2.5 million children’s programs being offered every year in the United States. There has also been a growing focus on digital literacy with libraries becoming a place that provide opportunities for children to build these crucial skills. With a more diverse range of services, there is a greater need for the library space to be adaptable, to meet the requirements of both self-led and group learning.

YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1600 and YAKETY YAK Nova Round 1000 Pods, provide a dynamic hub for digital learning at Belmont School.
YAKETY YAK Pods provide the ideal solution. As demonstrated by our recent project at Belmont School where they were used to provide secure and easy access to iPads for their students. The curved designs encouraged children to get involved and learn alongside each other or engage in self-led learning or provide the perfect space for teachers to lead group learning. Further, height adjustability caters to a wide range of ages, while our mobile options adds versatility (especially for small spaces!).

YAKETY YAK Nova Oval 1600 Pod facilitates interactive group learning.
Children’s library spaces have always been focused on supporting self-led learning and exploration; with modern technology libraries have new and exciting opportunities to develop their spaces to help equip our kids for the future.

Mobile and versatile GLO 1600 makes the ideal reference desk at Georgette-Lepage Library of Brossard, Canada.
At Instinct Furniture, we have been designing for libraries for over 20 years’ and are committed to creating products that will continue to adapt with libraries’ changing needs. To learn more about our products, we invite you to explore our range and please feel free to get in touch if you want to learn more.
Written by Paul White, Director of Design – Instinct Furniture
Resources:
https://journals.ala.org/index.php/cal/article/view/5923/7508
https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jgcc_famlab_librarians.pdf
You must be logged in to post a comment.