Capital Project Information

New Central Library

Neighborhood Branches

Information for Architects, Consultants, Contractors & Bidders

Oversight & Citizen Review

Financial Summaries

Archive

Libraries for All
Capital Program Office:
capital.program@spl.org
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-4624

SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Public Work Group- Young Adult Focus Group
Meeting #1, January 11, 2000

Return to List of Meetings
Return to Libraries for All Central Library page.

KEY IDEAS FOR DESIGN TEAM:

• Unique.
• Diverse- honors a diverse community.
• Colorful.
• Right materials for teens (collections).
• Welcoming atmosphere.
• User friendly.
• Different types of places for different activities.

1. WHAT KIND OF ATMOSPHERE DO WE WANT?
   • Comfortable: Big chairs (like Starbucks/Barnes & Noble).
   • Modern.
   • Artwork, by teens who use the library, that reflects their cultural diversity (Contract teens to do the artwork. Have children of color represented.).
   • Big chalkboard.
   • More relaxed seating- alternative seating.
     • Beanbag chairs (They might wander. Are they “rugged” enough?).
     • Foam alternatives? Modular?
     • Blow-up furniture.
   • Tables.
   • Private areas for studying.
   • Diversity of different furniture/places.
     • Place to work on school projects/host programs.
     • Place to study individually.
     • Place for comfortable reading/seating located throughout the library.
   • Earphones/CD players.
   • Special area for computers in teens’ area.
   • Also need computers close to staff so staff can help look stuff up.
   • Lots of phone jacks/electrical outlets for laptop access.
   • Various sized meeting rooms.
     • Reservable, some soundproof (for practicing music, etc.).
   • Book/bag check. Lockers?
   • Neon lighting (along with artwork) (Can be distracting in some areas, creates hum.).
   • Exciting paint colors (brown/dark blue).
   • Mural (graffiti artist?).
   • Wider/up to date music selection.
   • Youth consultants (to help library know what materials they should have).
   • Community bulletin board to post internships, events going on in library, community services/human services information (More private spot so information is available in a safe, confidential way).
   • Telephone pole for posting notices.
   • Food & drink area. (Food court-model) Can’t be only location for food (for everyone in library).
     • Third Place Books- model to consider.
     • Access to caffeine (soda, coffee?) close to study area. OK for kids to bring snacks during book club/discussion group, for example.
   • Reference section in teens?
   • Librarian’s presence in teen area.
   • Enough room for the books (in general for entire library).
   • Parking! Plus pull-out area for drop-off and pick-up of kids.
   • Adequate school bus drop-offs and parking.
2. WHAT SHOULD BE IN Y.A. AREA?
   • Y.A. Fiction.
   • Some reference (Usual stuff for reports).
   • Catalog showing what’s exclusively in Y.A. Area (Also located throughout library to show what’s in Y.A. Area.).
   • Way to search magazine articles more easily.
   • Connected to/easy to access rest of library.
   • Main reference close to Y.A. Area.
   • Y.A. magazines in this area.
   • Y.A. nonfiction sometimes located with adult non-fiction. Could Y.A. non-fiction be put together in Y.A. Area?
   • Spot for the “zines” (independently produced magazines/publications). Where people can leave new ones.
   • Training for how to use the library.
     • Don’t just research answer, but teach kids how to do the search. More guidance on how to search the catalog.
     • Not near the front door, locate in quieter/more secluded area.
   • Collection of African-American authors (national, intern’l, local).
   • Sense of “Home”. Friendly for all people. (Multi-cultural mural welcoming everyone.)
   • Hall (wall) of Fame- highlight people who have made impacts- youth who have contributed – youth from Seattle.
   • Tutoring, consultants.
   • Designated place for computers (multi-cultural expertise in training). Teens to train other teens on computers.
   • CDs, videotapes- culturally relevant, good selection.
   • Job bulletin board.
   • Cultural diversity training for staff.
   • Value diversity of patron base (throughout library).
   • Kiosk- “What does library have to offer the teen?” – Locate in Lobby and Y.A entry.
   • Advertising in minority newspapers (The Facts, The Medium, Beacon Hill Journal, etc.).
   • Tours.
   • Internships (for teens).
   • Teens available to help other teens in the Y.A. Area.
   • Teen music (teens help make selections).
   • Ways to listen to music in library (headphones).

Content modified: 27 March 2000

12/31/2004

© 1999-2005 - The Seattle Public Library