Library Teen Space Redesign Contest Due Monday

The Medfield Memorial Public Library is holding a Teen Space Design Contest in which library users between the ages of 12 and 19 years old have a shot at designing the library space using their particular style.

 One grand prize winner and two runners up will be selected by the Teen Space Design Committee. The grand prize is a $50 gift card of choice.  Each runner-up will each receive a $25 gift card. Prizes are donated by the Friends of the Medfield Library.

 Plans must be submitted to the library by Monday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

 “The teen spaces will be designated areas for teens to study, relax, talk with friends, play games, use laptops or cell phones, and collaborate on group projects,” said Teen Services Librarian Jennifer Forgit.  “They will hopefully be a place that teens choose to visit after school and on weekends.”

 Forgit said the library is working to improve its services to teens, and the contest is a way of reaching out to that demographic for their input on how they use the library. 

 “We recognize that teens are an important part of the community and that they are going to use the library differently than an adult or a small child would,” said Forgit. “In my experience, teens come to the library for a lot of different reasons. They come to socialize, find a book for a school assignment and use the computers, sometimes doing all of these things within the span of 15 or 20 minutes. It is important for the library to have a place for teens to comfortably use the library in a way that is useful to them. A teen-friendly space is one that takes into account the unique things teens need from their library.”

 The areas to be designed are on the lower level of the library. “Area 1” is located near the science fiction and mystery books and measures 11.5 by 7.5 feet; and “Area 2” is located near the 900s of the nonfiction books and measures 10.5 by 8.5 feet.

 To enter, students must submit a color illustration or 3-D model of their dream space along with a short description of the theme, colors and furniture they would use in the space.  Entries may be illustrated by hand or on the computer.

 Students can submit more than one entry but each one must include:

• Name, phone number, mailing address and the title of the design
• Indicate the area being designed (Area 1 or Area 2) See map for dimensions and locations.
• Description of the design of at least 200 words but no more than 1000. Description should explain the theme, colors and furniture you would use. Sell your idea! What makes your design appealing to teens?
• An illustration or 3-D model of what the room would look like. Can be computer generated or hand drawn
• The name of the store or online retailer that you would like as a prize if you are selected as a winner

 Contest officials say each entry should answer these questions:  Does the design:

• Incorporate the existing layout? Would the proposed idea fit in the physical space?
• Have a clear theme or “feel”?
• Appeal to both males and females between the ages of 12-18?
• Include specific types of furniture, lighting, equipment, wall colors/treatments and decorations?

 For more information regarding the redesign project or contest rules, contact Forgit at (508) 359-4544 x8005 or e-mail jforgit@minlib.net.   

 All teens are invited to the monthly advisory group meetings, held on the third Tuesday of every month for high school students and the third Thursday of every month for middle school students.