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Creating a Working Library
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
Last week I visited an old-school stationer shop filled not only with gorgeous ephemera but also book ends, busts, and other curiosities. Individually-selected journals and reading material lined the built-in mahogany shelves, and as I inhaled that heady and almost laundry-fresh scent of paper, I was filled with an immediate urge to sit into the leather chair in the corner with a tea and read. I did not do this. This would have been weird. Plus I was out with a friend and the point was to be social.
Two days earlier I had been dining with a Stanford d.school [design school] fellow and friend, whose time is partially spent discussing prototyping and design/environmental changes influencing behavioral changes. As a parent, I'm someone who loosely believes in Maria Montessori's philosophy that a conscientiously arranged environment can self-sustain and even be a teacher.
These photos take a look at library areas in domestic settings and how certain arrangement of design and environment can encourages even the young-est, even the most teen-age-est of non-readers to not only pick up a book, but pick up a general excitement from a house of learning.
Two days earlier I had been dining with a Stanford d.school [design school] fellow and friend, whose time is partially spent discussing prototyping and design/environmental changes influencing behavioral changes. As a parent, I'm someone who loosely believes in Maria Montessori's philosophy that a conscientiously arranged environment can self-sustain and even be a teacher.
These photos take a look at library areas in domestic settings and how certain arrangement of design and environment can encourages even the young-est, even the most teen-age-est of non-readers to not only pick up a book, but pick up a general excitement from a house of learning.
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| Creating different "stations" and purposes within the room's set-up will keep readers there (and contentedly occupied) for longer. Even a small-ish room like this has massive versatility. |
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Creating shelving that encourages grabbing and reading doesn't mean that books can't be stacked varying and interesting ways. Just make sure that it's easy to pull and replace without creating disarray.
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| Get the lighting right. In the corner of our library we recently added a Pottery Barn floor lamp. By adjusting it as low as possible, those who sit and read have immediate illumination on their material. It changed the dynamics of the whole room, I tell you. |
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| Good overhead, even tract, lighting illuminates the space when the sun goes down and evenly distributes light without the hassle of locating plugs, dealing with cords, and turning on and off several lights. |
| For dwellings with children, create soft floor space for lounging and looking. Children are more likely to read when they can sprawl. Encourage children (and adults) to enter the library by keeping curiosities that attract a crowd: a wall collection of masks, a few toys or simple art supplies on low shelves, unique attention-grabbing "coffee-table" books like Stiff or an anthology of self-portraits. Once wanderers come into the space, they're often hooked. |
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It really doesn't take much. Easily-accessible shelving, good lighting, and comfortable seating. The environment itself becomes a teacher when students of all ages are able to take a hint from the intellectual vibe and get excited to pick up what is around them.
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Even a more formal setting can be cozy and inviting. Often rooms that are set apart for the library remain off the beaten path of everyday traffic. Create a reason for entering and using the room, whether it be adding a desk or table for homework or art projects, a flatscreen, or afternoon snacks.
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by Kerrie L. Kelly
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| The same has got to be at least somewhat true for adults as it is for children: studies have shown that children are more likely to pick up a book and read if the cover is facing out. Here even adults get tempted by simply walking by. If installing specific shelving isn't a desire or option, create spaces around the room for upward-facing stacks of books or magazines. Children's books in a large shallow basket. My mom wanted my 5 younger brothers to read more, and she casually placed science, history, and sports mags around and my brothers suddenly sat around reading more! |
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Even a line-up in an unexpected area can grab a passerby's attention.
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| Integrating an abbreviated library into a common area brings the idea of reading and intellectual perusing into the everyday. Even a small line-up or stack by the coffee or tea or toaster can change behavioral reading habits. |
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A favorite living room of mine for integrating a library with a fireside seating area with a little theater. This kind of setting suggests that these books aren't just for show, but are a part of the dweller's life as is a bathtub or front door.
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Another view, showing the pleasant live-ability of this space. Not without refinement, but one could sink into this room for hours.
Comments
pwalter These are all lovely. I would b content to curl up in any of the rooms with a good book to read. www.satisfiedsole.com
3 years ago · Like
Vintage Renewal I love my books! This is great!
3 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio This home office included an entire wall of built-in library shelving. 
3 years ago · Like
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Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel I haven't owned a TV for 28 years; rather I have a library. I try to keep it down to 600 books, as I've moved across the world twice, and will move again in a couple of years. If you're a researcher (of art and design ideas) like me, you need a sturdy table in your library. I don't have any shelves higher than I can reach, but if you do use high shelves, you must keep a step laddar of some kind handy, or you'll never see those upper books. Currently, one of my tall shelves blocks the view over a half wall into the kitchen. I've also used them as room dividers. These are two libraries, one was mine, where I painted fresco patterns to cozy up the rooms. 
3 years ago · Like
Clayre Roche We specialise in library furniture and attached are images of a room we've done where we integrated the fireplace to match in with the library furniture. This room is amazingly comfortable and cozy for reading in. 
3 years ago · Like
Between Naps on the Porch I had to read this Ideabook...I love home libraries! I have a room in my home that's scoped out to be a library one day...as soon as my funds match my dreams. :-) Love the inspiration you've provided here.
3 years ago · Like
bigegghouse I'm going to be adding some glass doors to the bookcases otherwise it's really hard to clean dust off the shelves and books.
3 years ago · Like
sadie1jane I agree with bigegghouse. I love my books, and open shelves are so inviting, but I cannot keep up with the dusting. I now have shelves with glass doors. Not as inviting...but I have more time to read!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on June 11, 2010.
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