Li-baries “R” we forgetting anything?
Library design through the voices of children
Kristin Davidson, Denver Metro region, Early Childhood Literacy Specialist, Douglas County Libraries
Imagine a place encompassed by unicorns, dinosaurs, and robots who told stories. A building filled with endless books, toys, and movies; where wonder and imagination comes to life through play. A place where you bring the people you love, family, friends, and perhaps even a kitten. As you walk inside, your senses are delighted by the smell of cake, pretzels, croissants, and hotdogs. And of course, when you look out the window, the pizza man is your next door neighbor. Through the voices of children you have embarked upon their vision of the perfect library.
As a fellow of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program, undergoing an Action Research course, I wanted to know how children perceived their experiences and the opportunities at Douglas County Libraries and how they feel supported, valued and perhaps even challenged while spending time at the library.
A child’s voice is often acknowledged after the fact, rather than during the planning process. As a society, we then quantify their experiences or outcomes from an activity to determine whether it was successful. Sometimes, this approach results in ineffective practice and ultimately missed learning opportunities and conversations. As a student researcher, I wondered what a library would look like if a child designed it. Based on the results, I could then evaluate whether our library system was inclusive to even our youngest of citizens.
Children were invited to share their vision through one on one conversations, construction with open ended recycled materials, and by creating drawings. Thirteen children participated in the study, and the consensus was that libraries should be a place where they can play, pick up materials such as books and movies, and be an inviting space for friends and family to gather. Their voices also echoed the importance of having something to eat while browsing their local libraries. During the research process I was reminded that even with adult directed questions, children’s thoughts and conversations always live within the present moment, which in my case, happened to be right around lunch time.
“Maybe there should be a snack in case kids at the library get hungry.”
Looking at the research, I was surprised and pleased to see that our library system is not too far off from children's desires. Besides the imaginary creatures, Douglas County Libraries is staying true to the mission of elevating the community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. Upon entering the libraries you will unearth areas filled with a magnitude of resources and materials for both adults and children. The fixtures on the wall encourage play and promote conversation.
Moving forward, I am eager to examine what involvement, if any, children have in developing their own learning experiences and self-guided activities. As a leader and advocate, I want to ensure that children are involved in all aspects of the library and that their voices remain the driving force behind the work that we do as adults. To develop learning opportunities and experiences with them and never lose the wonder, curiosity and imagination that play brings, especially within our libraries.
Through Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program my leadership journey has evolved. I have developed skills and strategies to connect my community, become more conscious of providing an equitable lens, and most importantly, gained an understanding that leadership and change cannot occur for, or by someone, but rather with them.
Library design through the voices of children
Kristin Davidson, Denver Metro region, Early Childhood Literacy Specialist, Douglas County Libraries
Imagine a place encompassed by unicorns, dinosaurs, and robots who told stories. A building filled with endless books, toys, and movies; where wonder and imagination comes to life through play. A place where you bring the people you love, family, friends, and perhaps even a kitten. As you walk inside, your senses are delighted by the smell of cake, pretzels, croissants, and hotdogs. And of course, when you look out the window, the pizza man is your next door neighbor. Through the voices of children you have embarked upon their vision of the perfect library.
As a fellow of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program, undergoing an Action Research course, I wanted to know how children perceived their experiences and the opportunities at Douglas County Libraries and how they feel supported, valued and perhaps even challenged while spending time at the library.
A child’s voice is often acknowledged after the fact, rather than during the planning process. As a society, we then quantify their experiences or outcomes from an activity to determine whether it was successful. Sometimes, this approach results in ineffective practice and ultimately missed learning opportunities and conversations. As a student researcher, I wondered what a library would look like if a child designed it. Based on the results, I could then evaluate whether our library system was inclusive to even our youngest of citizens.
Children were invited to share their vision through one on one conversations, construction with open ended recycled materials, and by creating drawings. Thirteen children participated in the study, and the consensus was that libraries should be a place where they can play, pick up materials such as books and movies, and be an inviting space for friends and family to gather. Their voices also echoed the importance of having something to eat while browsing their local libraries. During the research process I was reminded that even with adult directed questions, children’s thoughts and conversations always live within the present moment, which in my case, happened to be right around lunch time.
“Maybe there should be a snack in case kids at the library get hungry.”
Looking at the research, I was surprised and pleased to see that our library system is not too far off from children's desires. Besides the imaginary creatures, Douglas County Libraries is staying true to the mission of elevating the community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. Upon entering the libraries you will unearth areas filled with a magnitude of resources and materials for both adults and children. The fixtures on the wall encourage play and promote conversation.
Moving forward, I am eager to examine what involvement, if any, children have in developing their own learning experiences and self-guided activities. As a leader and advocate, I want to ensure that children are involved in all aspects of the library and that their voices remain the driving force behind the work that we do as adults. To develop learning opportunities and experiences with them and never lose the wonder, curiosity and imagination that play brings, especially within our libraries.
Through Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program my leadership journey has evolved. I have developed skills and strategies to connect my community, become more conscious of providing an equitable lens, and most importantly, gained an understanding that leadership and change cannot occur for, or by someone, but rather with them.