A beautiful, modern library isn’t successful unless people feel safe and comfortable using it. Yet safety and comfort are two of the most common blind spots in library design and renovation projects. Decisions made on paper — or based on aesthetics alone — can have long-term consequences for staff, users, and daily operations. 

Manatee County Public Library System (MCPLS) has taken the traditional concept of a branch library and re-envisioned it as something truly innovative: the Little Discovery Center, a unique space designed to ignite a joy in learning in the youngest members of the community.

Libraries have the opportunity to learn from others. Especially in these uncertain times organizations are showing their creativity in how they continue to best serve their communities. Over time, Monona Bank realized that their customers had changed their habits and were no longer needing as many onsite banking services as they once did. Instead of letting the space in the lobby at their Schenk’s Corners location go unused, they chose to rethink how they offered services to their community. The solution, in addition to continuing to offer banking services, was to create a venue that also offered a café and co-working space.