There have been several recurring suggestions for the library of late - two of which are “more bean bag chairs” and “more group study rooms, please”. Well, we couldn’t agree more.
As an example of making lemonade [reconstruction] when presented with lemons [water damage], we have turned previous offices on the second floor into three new group spaces; one traditional group study room with tables/chairs & portable white board, and two non-traditional spaces that we are calling “think tanks”.
The two think tanks are located behind the new glass-enclosed group study room at the top of the center stairs on the second floor. These are sparsely furnished with only a small table and bean bag chairs (six in the larger room and five in the smaller space) . The idea was to create a relaxing and uncluttered space where library users could be encouraged to think (which sometimes is a different process than studying).
In addition, over the Christmas break, we will have a section of one wall in each of think tanks applied with whiteboard paint so that fleeting thoughts can be captured, perhaps Einstein-like, as needed.
As with all group spaces, these are available on a first-come basis with priority given to groups of three or more. We do ask that you leave the burgundy-colored bean bags in the think tanks though the blue bean bag chairs can continue to be moved about the library as you desire.
Whether you use the rooms for group study, committee meetings, discussion, meditation, or brainstorming, we trust you will enjoy the new “think tanks” and hope you will let us know what you think!
Ken