Corners and centres: those spaces within
Yashodara Kundaji
Library experiences are deeply personal, and yet they are very social. While reading is largely a solo activity, it has a distinct social angle to it. To show, to share, to exchange what we read, whether stories, poems, jokes or pictures…to partake together is exciting and enjoyable. Shared conversations around text, even pictures, helps uncover fresh perspectives and opens up new layers of meaning. What is more, suggesting favourite titles, exchanging books, even just reading companionably together is such a deeply bonding and satisfying experience.
The library can be visualized as a place to cultivate these diverse kinds of reading needs and interactions in formal as well as informal ways. This helps foster good readers, creates book friends or companions; it also knits people into discerning reading communities.
While the library is a unified physical place, a variety of smaller places can be created within it, by mindfully arranging furniture, mats and cushions, using shelves to demarcate sub-spaces that cater to individual and social needs.
Places within the place
Below is the beginning of an illustrated, annotated checklist of places possible within a library. This is apart from the primary focus of the library, namely to allow users to freely browse the shelves, choose, borrow and return books, periodicals or other materials.
A foremost need is to create comfortable seating. Locate spaces and furniture that invite individual readers, yet are moveable, flexible to allow for small group interactions. Acquire furniture units that can be used for solo reading and be cobbled together to facilitate shared reading.
Place for occasional large group interactions. Look at possibilities to rearrange, merge or extend existing spaces, keeping in mind some space for audio visual projection/screenings.
Place for an administrative corner where back-end library functions continue unhindered, yet in full sight and accessible to library users.
Place for children to write, make notes, use books as reference material. These can be formal table-chair arrangements, they can also be uncluttered floor spaces for children to spread out and work.
Place to read, reflect, dream, to catch 40 winks amidst bookshelves, in nooks undisturbed, away from full-view of others. Identify ledges, perches and corners to create secluded reading niches.
Place for parallel activities to take place simultaneously and independently without disturbing other functions of the library.
Place for displays of all kinds. Interactive notice boards, wall spaces for posters, pictures, shelf tops to display books, even interesting objects that silently beckon and engage users. Re-imagine and maximize existing opportunities.
Place for in-house and archival material. Create space to house books, magazines, material created by children, projects, photographs, diaries, letters and memorabilia that provide a glimpse into the history of the space and how it has transformed to date.
Place to foster interests and skills. These could either be fixed spaces, sudden pop-ups or seasonal, rotating areas. Some examples are: a book hospital where library books can be carefully, lovingly repaired and restored; a music and audio visual corner (perhaps select musical instruments too); a niche for theatre and drama props for impromptu story productions; an art and craft space; a poetry corner; a table or box for crosswords, jigsaws, brain-teasers, games; a repair, recycle and tinker space; a fabric, embroidery and sewing space; surprise talking corners and so on.
Children often seek, discover unusual and unique places to read. A staircase, a slide, a ladder, beside an aquarium, a pond, around potted plants, rocks, a fork in a tree, a slope, a sand-pit, a patch of grass, a hammock, a cave or tunnel all seem irresistible reading spots. It is very worthwhile to foster such discoveries.
| The Library… | |
| A place to read, discover, browse, | place to create, reflect, express, |
| place to wonder, ponder, imagine, | place to connect, join dots inner and outer. |
| place to learn, find out, build up perspective. | A place to be welcomed, accepted as I am, |
| A place to find companions, bond, share, | place to weep and console, nap and refresh. |
| place to discuss, question, argue. | A place to gather strength and feel free |
| A place to work with solitary focus, | A window, a pathway, a key, |
| a place to be! |
The library is designed as a place to welcome and serve all – the young, middle-aged and old, readers and non-readers, the not-so-able, the specially-abled, the energetic, the focused, the casual or relaxed. It is truly a place of endless opportunities and possibilities.
The author anchors the library at Centre for Learning, Bengaluru. She enjoys helping young readers discover and enjoy a variety of books. In her middle-school library sessions she tries to help children connect reading with their inner worlds, also with goings-on in the world outside. She likes using craft and handwork to make stories and messages in books memorable. She can be reached at yashodarakundaji@gmail.com.
