Case Study | Children's Libraries

The Welch Family Children’s Wing at the James V. Brown Library

The Kathryn Siegel Welch Children’s Wing & Family Place is not an ordinary children’s library. With the help of Brodart Creative, the James V. Brown Library was able to transform the Children’s Wing into magical world of Amazing Wilds. Providing everything from traditional furniture and layout solutions to custom artwork and three-dimensional sculpture design, Brodart Creative helped to organize the Children’s Wing to make it easy for families to locate age-appropriate material.

The Amazing Wilds theme begins on the main floor, which is dedicated to children aged birth to seven years and their families, and is carried throughout the library. This theme is related to the tourism theme for northern Pennsylvania, “The Pennsylvania Wilds.” The showcase of the first floor is the “A-mazing” maze located in the center the room. With fun facts, bright images, and interactive activities, the maze engages children and encourages them to explore the world around them.

The main floor uses colors of shelving, coordinated with large animal icons of the same colors to distinguish collections for children who cannot read traditional signage such as “non-fiction.” For example, a handcrafted, three-dimensional sculpture of a blue jay hangs from the ceiling and Brodart’s Omega shelving units with blue steel shelves house a collection of books, which are recommended for a particular age group. The icons tie into the central theme of the “Amazing Wilds.”

Also present throughout the library are custom shelving end panels and table tops. End panels were designed to allow for interactive early learning games and activities to be mounted, while the table tops feature thematic artwork such as frogs and other wildlife designs. Computer stations are situated around the base of a tree sculpture, making the most of the space. The circulation is low to the ground, to accommodate children, and includes artwork that corresponds to the various sections of the facility for easy way-finding.

Not only intended for children, the library welcomes tweens and teens alike. In a separate floor from the children’s area, tweens and teens are invited to enjoy a more modern environment. Color was also carefully considered in these areas as well. In place of the traditional primary colored shelves that appeal to younger children, pastels were used in the tween area, while dark blue and red were combined with metal and black flooring for a more urban appeal in the teen area.

Other attractions for tweens and teens include the Think Tank Café, Career Lounge, diner-style seating, vending machines, flat screen TV, video games, and raised bistro tables with custom table top designs. Another focal point of the library is the Grid System display. The unique collection of artwork, comprised of poison dart frogs and other similar animals, is lit from within by a system of LED lights.

The new 26,400 square feet wing of the James V. Brown library, located in Williamsport Pennsylvania contributes to its mission: to meet the needs of children and families in the area. Brodart and Brodart Creative were also pleased with its contribution to this local project. “It’s always rewarding to help a vision come to fruition” noted Chris Frantz, Director of Sales & Marketing for Brodart Contract Furniture. “The Brodart Creative program was designed to do just that”.

Brodart Contract Furniture | www.brodartfurniture.com | 888-521-1884 | 570-769-7412 | furniture@brodart.com