Head of Youth Services Bloomingdale Public Library
We had a dead computer lab in the Youth Services department. It was an oddly shape room and it wasn't in the budget to expand or redesign the Youth department. Computers were not needed any longer in our youth space ( ipads and laptops are available). What do you do with the space when it becomes no longer relevant? What we did was create our Calming Space. This multi-functioning space helped solve many lacking area in our youth department ( and in our library) while also being a flexible space if our communities needs change again in the upcoming future. This room is now being used by patrons to pray, breastfeed, calm a child or adult if needed, while also being a confined space for families to be together when needed. It has opened our department to more patrons who might not have felt comfortable in our space before. It has really allowed us to change with our patrons needs.