Best Practices

Transforming the 21st Century Popular Library

Marisa Amara, Marketing Manager, DEMCO, Inc.
Janet Nelson, Director of Business Development, DEMCO, Inc.

Providing a focal point for the library, the popular materials area has become more than the merchandising replica of the big box bookstore. It is now taking on the feel of a comfortable, welcoming living room where customers can relax with a good book or catch up on the day’s news.

More and more libraries are concentrating their high-interest popular materials in a single bustling area that has come to highlight more than just the newest books. Providing popular materials in a consolidated area improves overall appeal of the collection, increases turnover and encourages browsing, while offering one-stop shopping convenience for busy families. With that in mind, these spaces have expanded to include:

  • DVDs

  • Audiobooks

  • Magazines

  • Video Games

  • Music

  • New Books

  • Children’s AV Materials

Popular areas are typically located near the main entry, but other adjacencies should be taken into consideration when planning a popular library. Keeping it near the main service point, self-serve checkout, self-check holds and the children’s library makes it not only easy for customers to navigate but also convenient for staff to provide more customer centered service. A variety of flexible and visually appealing furnishings and user friendly signage welcomes customers and helps staff to easily keep displays current and appealing.

The service needs of the 21st century popular library have also created a need for transformation of the physical space. Among these changes include:

  • Lower height shelving with a variety of shelf types that provide a combination of face-out and spine-out display.

  • Creative shelving arrangements that give an open welcoming feel.

  • Shelving end panels that offer additional merchandising opportunities: slatwall panels, bookcase style or shallow shelves.

  • Modular display towers and mobile shelving units that can be rearranged or adjusted to suit collection changes.

  • An assortment of seating options from cozy wingbacks to small scale mobile lounge chairs with tablets or small tables with task chairs where customers can use their laptop.

Finding room for these spaces in their new formats often involves thorough analysis of collection circulation that guides significant collection weeding. This opens up additional space allowing for more comfortable seating areas and lower height shelving creating the more flexible and welcoming gathering area.

The switch from patron to customer has resulted in many changes in Public Libraries….changing service models, emphasis on merchandising, the expanded role of the librarian and adjustments in space planning & adjacencies. All of these changes help to keep the library a relevant and service oriented destination now and well into the future.

DEMCO Library Interiors provides a full range of services related to the development of interior spaces in Public, School, College/University and Special Libraries. The company is a division of DEMCO, Inc. which celebrated over 100 years of serving our library customers in 2005. This rich history has uniquely positioned us to understand the full range of needs addressed by our customers on a daily basis and reaching far into the future. In addition, we have become trusted partners over the years with not only our customers, but also our vendors and the architects, designers and consultants with whom we have collaborated. Based in Madison, WI, we have regional representatives who service our customers across the country. www.demcointeriors.com