School Library Furniture For Enhanced Focus and Productivity

As technology moves ever faster, school libraries and school library furniture are changing, as students and teachers become ever more reliant on ebooks and web sources.

We can already see how public libraries are becoming spaces where people can use computers and study as well as somewhere to read and borrow books. Libraries are no longer silent spaces with static furniture. They are hubs for learning and collaboration.

• Uncomfortable seating makes it hard for students or readers to concentrate for long periods of time. Inflexible layouts can make some people feel uncomfortable and this too can affect focus.
• Posture support provided by the right, ergonomic, school library furniture can have a huge impact on student productivity and focus.
• The correct school library furniture, be it tables, desks, chairs or stools, will help students work more effectively, however, they work whether they use the library alone or in groups. Read on to find out how.

Understanding the Relationship between Furniture and Learning

To understand the importance of comfort and ergonomics in a learning environment, (a classroom, school library or group working space), we need to think not only about the effect of furniture on focus and productivity but also about how arranging the furniture can impact on student performance.

Children and adults have limited attention spans and these are not improved by uncomfortable seating. Comfortable chairs help students to concentrate and focus without being distracted by back pain or the need to frequently readjust position (which can also be very disruptive in a group setting).

Multiple types of seating

It’s not ideal to have one style of chair for every user. Classroom chair sizes will normally be decided according to age group and the standard sizes recommended. But in a non-formal classroom environment it’s far easier to provide a mix of seating, both for greater accessibility and also to better suit a range of tasks.

Seating arrangements can affect student performance. The layout of the library furniture should reflect the learning ethos and should be as flexible as possible.

• Formal or informal seating arrangements can influence student behaviours.
• Some students prefer the sanctuary of quiet areas or need space for individual attention.
• Group or teamwork activities can be enhanced by the ability to arrange the furniture into smaller breakout groups.

Features of Effective School Library Furniture

Modern school library furniture that is properly designed for the purpose should feature the following:

• Comfort and ergonomics
  A mixture of comfort and ergonomics means that maximum focus can be achieved, whatever the subject. Think variable heights, back support and having more than one design of the chair.

• Flexibility and customization
  The ability to customise (for example, bespoke sizing) can help make the best use of space. Flexible or modular furniture means that layouts can be amended quickly and with minimal disruption.

• Durability and cost-effectiveness
  Budget is always important. School library furniture should be sourced from a commercial specialist and be designed to withstand daily use and frequent cleaning.

• Visual appeal and adaptability
  The aesthetics of the classroom are always important. Educators know that children (and adults!) enjoy playful and colourful designs. The best designs are accessible and work well with other pieces.

Here are some examples of different styles of school library furniture incorporating these features:

1. This modern school library chair is a fun design that features a high back for better ergonomics but is soft enough to be comfortable. The chair can be grouped with others as a modular system or used alone.
2. This high study table is great for smaller spaces or placed in front of a window. It’s available in a choice of heights for flexibility and can be paired with high stools to maximise working space.
3. These colourful modular cube pillar seats are specially designed to fit around pillars, creating extra seating with useful back support. Other shapes are available to suit all spaces.

Choosing the Right Furniture for Your School Library

To choose the right furniture for your school library, consider today’s innovative learning environment and your school’s learning and study styles, and design the space to match.

You could begin by making an assessment of student requirements and study preferences. Involve teachers and support staff in this process from the start and take on board their ideas about the use of space and flexible classroom layouts.

Consider how furniture can affect focus and productivity and ensure that you select specific types to enhance all of your learning styles.

For example:

• Low, soft, but supportive seating is often popular for solo reading.
• For prolonged periods of desk and / or screen work, it is better to consider tables of a standard or adjustable height with ergonomically designed seating.
• Where groups will frequently rearrange, lighter weight stools or modular seating can be useful.

Summary and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it’s really important that school library furniture is chosen, not just for design style or to fit the space, but to help to enhance focus and productivity.

Different types of school library furniture need to support different library behaviours. Try and include space to study privately as well as to work in groups. Consider the needs of paper, book and screen users and take them into account when you choose library or classroom furniture.

For more information, ask our commercial furniture experts about school, college and library furnishing and space planning.

What is Space Planning?

Space planning allows you to work with our experts to choose the correct furniture for your room and purposes. We will work with you to ensure that you make the best use of all available space according to your budget.

What types of furniture should a library have?

Most libraries should include soft or modular seating for reading, solo chairs for quiet reading or study and ergonomic working areas like tables and chairs for screen and written work.

What is a Library Chair?

A library chair is usually a soft chair specifically designed for reading. Often featuring a high back for support, but low backed options in modern designs are also popular.

Does Spaceist furniture come with a guarantee?

All Spaceist furniture is sourced from specialist contract suppliers in the UK and Europe and comes with a 5 year warranty.

School Library Furniture >