When a library takes time to look inward — at staff experience, organizational structure, and how services are delivered — the results can be surprisingly far-reaching. That was the case for the ReThinking Libraries strategic planning project with the Newburgh Chandler Public Library in Indiana, where a focus on internal health ultimately strengthened community service as well.

Your library can have updated finishes, modern furniture, and state-of-the-art technology — but if patrons can’t easily enter, navigate, and understand the space, none of that matters. 

Too many renovations focus on how a library looks instead of how it works for the people who use it every day. The final four missteps in our “Countdown to Better Libraries” series address the critical areas of access, navigation, inclusivity, and real-world user experience. 

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. 

When Emily Dumas stepped into her role as Director of the Troy Public Library in February 2021, she found herself in charge of a beloved and bustling suburban library — one that had, like many others, endured the disruptions of a pandemic and was now facing the steep costs of much-needed renovations. In a city of 88,000 residents just outside Detroit, known for its diversity and academic excellence, the library wasn’t just a nice-to-have. It was the place.