Design Work Underway

The plans for the renovated Children's Room are beginning to take shape. Key details in the works include:

• Maintaining approximately the same number of books, audiobooks, and films in the renovated space. Patrons value the library's extensive youth collections.
• Shifting the room's orientation so that the play spaces are on the north end of the room and the bookshelves run east-west. Patrons emphasize the importance of the library as a free place to come play in all of our engagement work, but noted some logistical and safety concerns with the current layout.
• Placing the service desk roughly under where the giant moth kite hangs now for better sightlines to the collection, the play spaces, and the rest of the library.
• Utilizing a colorful natural aesthetic inspired by the Valley of the Flowers' many beautiful native plants.

The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation is focusing their Give Big campaign (April 30-May 1) on the Children's Room renovation, with a goal of raising $100,000 or one-tenth of the total project costs.

Library staff will take a "sit test" trip to the Twin Cities in mid-May to vigorously test furniture and materials to ensure that we invest in durable, easily-cleanable, and safe furnishings. Library kids enthusiastically use their Children's Room, and we want this renovation to be attractive and sturdy for years to come.

As the design team finalizes renderings and designs in the coming months, we will be sure to share those plans here. Thank you for following along on this exciting project for Bozeman's children!