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A new library furniture range for secondary schools
Introducing a new library furniture range for secondary schools
As the needs of school libraries continue to evolve, we are incredibly excited to introduce our latest range of library furniture products, specifically designed to transform secondary school libraries into welcoming, versatile and inspiring spaces.
This new collection includes innovative shelving, seating, and desking solutions that cater to a diverse range of learning styles, foster collaboration, and enhance the school library experience.
The vision behind the collection
Our new library furniture range is the culmination of two years of extensive research and working closely with secondary schools. At BookSpace, we know that the school library plays a pivotal role in nurturing lifelong readers yet these spaces can be overlooked when it comes to planning and investment.
Recognising this, our design team has been working with teachers, librarians and students to understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. This has enabled us to explore new concepts, test new products and research high-performance materials to suit a modern learning environment.
A collaborative journey: working with secondary schools
From the outset, we wanted to immerse ourselves in the day-to-day realities of secondary schools. Our design team visited numerous schools across the UK, observing how staff and students used existing library spaces and identifying areas for development.
These interactions were invaluable, providing us with real-world data and perspectives that informed every aspect of the design process.
“It’s one thing to design furniture that looks good on screen, but it’s another to create pieces that genuinely enhance the user experience” says BookSpace Designer, Jonathan Turner. “By working closely with teachers and librarians who use these spaces daily, we were able to develop a product range that would be practical, durable, and most importantly, student-friendly.”
What’s included in the new library furniture range?
Our new collection is designed to address the varied needs of secondary school libraries, combining functionality with modern aesthetics. Here’s a closer look at what’s included:
Attractive Book Displays
Our company background is in book retailing and public library design so we really do understand books and readers. From our own research, we know that displaying books with their covers facing outwards rather than just spines, significantly increases student engagement.
Simple yet effective, face-out display makes browsing easier and encourages wider reading amongst students.
Product highlights:
Ladder Shelf: A compact and sleek library bookcase that allows you to create eye-catching book displays for fiction and non-fiction books.
Mobile Table Unit: Combining book display and flexibility, this unit can be easily moved around the library to create high-impact book displays.
Versatile Library Shelving
Given the popularity of our shelving solutions in primary schools, we wanted to adapt these for the secondary school environment. Our new range includes taller library perimeter shelving, mobile shelving for mid-floor areas and wall-mounted displays – all available in a wide choice of contemporary colour options.
Comfortable Soft-Seating Areas
One of the key insights from our research was the importance of providing comfortable yet durable seating options.
Eva Tomaszewska, a student in Year 10 tells us why – “I love having somewhere quiet to go during break or lunchtime where I can sit and read a magazine or book or just talk with my friends.”
Our soft-seating options are designed to be both comfy and long-lasting, creating spaces where students can relax, read, or collaborate in small groups.
Product highlights:
Privacy Sofa: This seating option offers a quiet, enclosed space that’s perfect for private reading or focused study.
Link Seating: Sturdy, modular and adaptable to accommodate different group sizes and activities for spaces of all shapes and sizes.
Button Sofa: A stylish yet comfortable design, ideal for adding a touch of sophistication to reading areas or meeting spaces.
Tables and Seating for Modern Learning
In addition to our new school library shelving and soft-seating, we also wanted to include a variety of tables and seating options to support modern learning environments. These pieces are perfect for group discussions, casual reading, or simply taking a break.
Product highlights:
Bar-Height Tables: These tables are ideal for collaborative work or informal gatherings, offering a versatile solution with minimal footprint.
Breakout Tables: Low-level tables add a contemporary look to any school library, common area or learning resource centre.
The importance of colour in school libraries
Strategic use of colour is crucial for creating an engaging and stimulating learning atmosphere.
Bright, vibrant colours can energise and inspire, whilst soft, muted tones help to improve focus and concentration.
Throughout the product development phase, we’ve shared various colour options on our social media platforms and during face-to-face meetings to fine-tune a more sophisticated colour palette for secondary schools.
Our new colour range offers a mix of warm and cool tones, allowing schools to create an environment that reflects their unique character whilst also supporting student learning.
The product launch – 13th September 2024 (save the date!)
We are incredibly excited to launch our new library furniture range on 13th September, which represents the culmination of 2 years of research, collaboration, and innovation. By working closely with secondary schools, we’re proud to have developed a collection that truly meets the needs of modern students and educators. Whether it’s through our versatile shelving, comfortable seating, or thoughtful use of colour, our goal is to create library spaces that inspire, engage and support students in their learning journey.
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