Janelle – I don’t have  my file in front of me now, but when planning the youth redesign at Traverse Area District Library I had a number of resources that I’ll track down and share with you soon.

 

In the meantime, I really appreciated this article in slj: http://www.slj.com/2015/10/programs/what-do-tweens-want/

 

I found that giving the tweens a separate area that was visible yet secluded really made them happy – they were attracted right away to the comfy seating and lots of plug-in areas plus a computer bar where little ones couldn’t quite reach.  Tweens immediately began using their new space (eventually designed by a library designer) and made it their home.  One key note:  don’t put wheels on any stools.  The toddlers flock to those…

 

Cathy Lancaster

 

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan

517-335-8129

517-373-5700 f

LancasterC5@michigan.gov

 

Our collective efforts can help make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years!  Here are the goals and strategies: http://mi.gov/top10in10/

 

cid:image001.png@01D2039A.4E4BC0C0

 

 

From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Janelle Martin
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 10:05 AM
To: michlib-l <michlib-l@mail.mcls.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] Tween Spaces

 

Hey Everyone,

We are hoping to build a new library sometime in the future and we are thinking about planning for a tween area. Does anyone have a tween space in their buildings? Is it part of either the teen or children's section? Or is it a separate area? If you have a tween area, how did you decorate it differently than the children's or teen areas to make it stand apart from the other sections? Are there things that you like or hate about your tween area? Things you would have done differently? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

 

Janelle

 

Janelle Martin
Head of Fiction
Marguerite deAngeli Library
Lapeer District Library

921 W. Nepessing St.

Lapeer, MI 48446
jmartin@lib.lapeer.org
810-664-6971 ext 3218