Micro-environments in Libraries for Young Children

Abstract

Most public libraries, small, medium, or large, offer a variety of services, facilities and amenities to their audience, depending on the assigned functions. The ideal size of space for children in public libraries cannot be calculated according to the population that it will serve, as is often the case with school libraries, but based on the activities to be developed and the characteristics of particular characteristics of childhood. Therefore, emphasis must be given primarily on the qualitative and secondarily on the quantitative characteristics of the children’s library physical environment. This paper presents answers on some basic questions. Do Public Libraries provide special space arrangements for children and their families in their establishments? Are Children Libraries “reading-rooms” suitably designed and furnished as to provide the necessary areas for reading, relaxing, playing or creating? Observations in several library facilities revealed some interesting findings concerning Children’s Library environments.