design Archives | American Libraries Magazine

Library Design Showcase submissions open

Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase

January 2, 2026

We are looking for examples of innovative library architecture that address patrons’ needs in unique and effective ways. We are especially interested in submissions from libraries that are approaching design with sustainability, accessibility, and smaller budgets in mind. Partial renovations, projects under $1 million, and school libraries are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, projects … Continue reading Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase →

2025 Library Design Showcase

By Phil Morehart | September 2, 2025

Welcome to the 2025 Library Design Showcase, American Libraries’ annual celebration of new and renovated libraries throughout North America. Today’s libraries are places where people from diverse communities can connect, learn, and grow. The institutions featured in this year’s showcase embody the library’s role as a true third space while honoring local histories and cultures … Continue reading 2025 Library Design Showcase →

2025 ALA/AIA Library Building Awards

September 2, 2025 The following libraries are winners of the 2025 Library Building Awards, sponsored by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (a division of the American Library Association) and the American Institute of Architects. The awards recognize the best in library architecture and design and are open to any architect licensed in the US. Projects may be located anywhere … Continue reading →

On My Mind by Christine Herman and Jo Phillips

The Teen Scene

By Christine Herman and Jo Phillips | September 2, 2025

We looked to Search Institute, a nonprofit focused on positive youth development. Its Developmental Assets Framework lists supports and strengths that can help young people succeed. On that list is involving teens in decision making, a practice that already guides our programming. Why not involve them in our space planning too? We next turned to … Continue reading The Teen Scene →

Maximize Your Storage

April 1, 2025

Spacesaver’s High-Bay Shelving is a practical option for storing archival boxes, books, and other materials in offsite settings. Extending to accommodate storage up to 35 feet high, Spacesaver High-Bay Shelving maximizes vertical space in your facility, optimizing space efficiency, accessibility, and protection of valuable materials. With an extensive range of shelving options, Spacesaver can deliver … Continue reading Maximize Your Storage →

Sitting area with fireplace in Brown County Library, East branch.

Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase

January 2, 2025

Spacesaver cantilever shelving units on casters at the Glendale branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library

Maximize Your Library’s Potential

December 3, 2024

Unmatched adaptability for programming and events Spacesaver’s Flexible Shelving units are engineered to adapt to your library’s changing needs. With adjustable shelves and a variety of configurations, these units can easily accommodate different types of materials—from odd-sized kids’ books to your ever-changing Library of Things collections and the necessary supplies in your makerspaces. Flexible Shelving’s … Continue reading Maximize Your Library’s Potential →

High offsite library shelving in vanishing perspective

Elevate Your Library Storage

September 25, 2024

Spacesaver’s High-Bay Shelving Systems are designed to maximize vertical space and minimize footprint. They can extend up to 35 feet high, allowing you to store more items in less floor area. These systems are also engineered to withstand the load and seismic requirements of your facility, ensuring the safety and security of your collection. High-Bay … Continue reading Elevate Your Library Storage →

Two library workers stand at a rounded desk in a modern-looking library

Dynamic Service Desks

By Paul White | September 10, 2024

Define the purpose of the service desks Start by pinpointing the core functions of your desks. Will they serve as a circulation counter, help pod, IT desk, welcome station, or perhaps a combination of these? Understanding their primary role will help you choose a desk design that seamlessly meets the demands of the day. Know … Continue reading Dynamic Service Desks →

2024 Library Design Showcase

By Phil Morehart | September 3, 2024

From Brutal to beautiful Toronto Public Library, York Woods branch The York Woods renovation and addition retains the original 1970 brutalist library and connected theater while enhancing them with a new 2,000-square-foot glass entrance pavilion, topped with a timber roof to create a welcoming entryway. The interior retains the original structure but now incorporates exposed … Continue reading 2024 Library Design Showcase →

2024 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards

September 3, 2024

Photo of the indoor garden at Downtown Reno Library of Washoe County (Nev.) Library Syste

Bookend: Lushness in the Library

By Anne Ford | September 3, 2024

Hewitt C. Wells, the library’s architect, wanted to build it in a park. When that plan fell through, he decided to build “a park in the library,” Ryan says. Completed in 1966, it won the 1968 Industrial Landscape Award (presented by Lady Bird Johnson) and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in … Continue reading Bookend: Lushness in the Library →

Latest Library Links

2d

Brett Zongker and Deb Fiscella write: “The 2025 National Film Registry has been announced, showcasing a group of 25 films spanning 118 years and including fan favorites such as The Thing, Clueless, The Big Chill, and The Incredibles. The Library of Congress’s annual addition to the list of films to be preserved for their cinematic and cultural heritage starts with the 1896 silent film, The Tramp and the Dog, and stretches to the 2014 Wes Anderson picture The Grand Budapest Hotel. Since Congress established the registry in 1988, 925 films have been added.”

Library of Congress, Jan. 29
2d

Tony Phillips writes: “In today’s fast-paced world, where everyone seems to be in a rush, displaying data in a way that can be easily interpreted and analyzed—such as in a heat map—is essential. Excel lets you automatically color-code figures to demonstrate their relationship with one another, using darker colors for higher numbers and lighter colors for lower numbers, for example. This means you can see trends and anomalies at a glance.”

How-To Geek, Feb. 2
2d

The RAILS regional library system in northern Illinois has published advocacy tools for libraries to build awareness about the challenges of e-book and audiobook pricing. These documents include an advocacy flier, sample social media graphics, and sample copy that libraries can use to make their communities aware of this growing problem. Libraries are also welcome to download a Canva template to customize graphics with their own logos.

RAILS, Jan. 30
3d

Jerry Lawson writes: “When people think about malware, they often imagine someone clicking a suspicious attachment or downloading a shady file. In reality, one of the most dangerous forms of infection requires no obvious mistake at all. It’s called a drive-by download, and it remains a quiet but serious threat. It occurs when malicious code is installed on a device simply by visiting a compromised website—often without any prompt or warning. No defense is perfect, but layered precautions significantly reduce exposure.”

LLRX, Jan. 29
3d

Angele Latham and Scott Broden write: “Nearly 3,000 books that were flagged as possibly running afoul of federal standards on gender topics have been temporarily saved from removal from public library shelves across Rutherford County, Tennessee, on February 2. Instead, the board approved recommendations from Rutherford County Library Board Director Luanne James that would move 450 books out of the juvenile collection. The statewide review was spurred by an October letter from Secretary of State Tre Hargett, which directed most public libraries in the state to review their juvenile collections conform to a Trump executive order on gender topics.”

The Tennessean (Nashville), Feb. 3, Dec. 3
3d

Catherine Paolillo and Christopher Marcum write: “This study gathered feedback from student employees on the elements of our retention program that they see as critical to retaining them throughout their time on campus. Consistently positive feedback regarding flexible schedules and a supportive interview experience highlights the effectiveness of our hiring practices. Strong appreciation for the structured onboarding and training process indicates that our efforts to provide consistent and thorough preparation are successful. However, more work is needed to assess our need for direct day-to-day supervision for all students and to improve our performance appraisal process and specific work-preparation activities.”

Library Leadership and Management, Vol. 39, No. 2, Feb. 1
4d

Ariel Barreras writes: “Like many of you, I currently have Pokémon on the brain! In December, I wrote about how I was preparing to start a Pokémon Club at my library. In this post, I will share the setup for my first session and what I have learned after completing round one of Pokémon Club. The first session of a new program can be a tricky one, with kids and the librarian trying to figure out what works best. Throughout the session, I was taking notes on what worked and what needs work.”

ALSC Blog, Jan. 31

View more Latest Library Links