Designing space for children and teens

CHICAGO—ALA Editions, the publishing imprint of the American Library Association, announces the release of “Designing Space for Children and Teens in Libraries and Public Places,” by Sandra Feinberg and James R. Keller, AIA. Providing tips, suggestions and guidelines on the critical issues involved with designing spaces for children and teens, this how-to book addresses topics such as

• How to select an architect or design professional
• The importance of including YA librarians in the design and implementation
• Information on how children and teens view and use space

Twenty color photos of example spaces are included to illustrate outstanding design in action.



Feinberg has more than 35 years of public library experience and is currently the Director of the Middle Country Public Library, the largest and busiest library on Long Island (N.Y.). From 2000 through 2004, she oversaw two renovation and expansion projects, which increased building capacity from 66,000 to 107,000 square feet, much of which is devoted to children and teens. In addition to co-authoring eight books focused on library service to youth and families, she is a library school instructor, frequent presenter and consultant.



James R. Keller, AIA has more than 25 years of experience as an architect and has been with VITETTA Architects and Engineers in Philadelphia since 1986. He is a principal with VITETTA and director of Library Planning and Design for the firm, where he has designed more than 100 library spaces for children, including youth spaces for the Broward County Public Library, Fla.; the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Md.; the Horsham Township Library, Pa.; the Lexington Public Library, Ky.; the Lower Merion Township Library System, Pa.; the Marion County Library System, Fla.; the Free Library of Philadelphia, Pa.; and the San Antonio Public Library, Texas. He served as Library Design Consultant for the Santiago Public Library (Chile) and is the Principal Architect for the new Children’s Public Library in Muscat, Oman.

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