The traditional library is getting a 360° makeover with the huge rows of shelves, solid tables and quiet reading spaces giving way to lively community centres clearly divided into zones.

Highly flexible in concept, these library zones are not divided by walls, but by colour and furniture placement. Libraries have become adaptable spaces where zones allow users to work in their own space, individually or in groups, or create a space within a zone for their own use.

Popular library zones include:

Story time zones

Created with young children in mind, story time zones feature low shelves with plenty of room for displaying books with their covers clearly visible to draw attention. Instead of chairs, soft cushions are spread throughout the reading zone for children to relax on or use in their activities. Many libraries invite specialists to run ‘rhyme time’ sessions with group activities including music, dance and storytelling.

Reading zones

The rigid environment of traditional libraries has been replaced with multiple zones that can be adapted using portable furniture to provide readers or groups of readers their own space.

Study and collaboration zones

The flexibility and adaptability of modern-day library zones with their bay seats and tables allow users to either work alone or in collaboration. Access to power and charging ports encourages long term study sessions.

Zones are often defined by furniture, soft seating and study booths. The portable furniture allows users to reconfigure these zones to suit their individual or group needs.

Architecture & Design Team

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Raeco

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