Public libraries are more than places to check out books—they’re where families come to figure things out.
And if you’ve worked in youth services long enough, you know exactly what I mean.
Caregivers aren’t just grabbing board books and heading out. They’re looking for answers. They’re navigating sleep schedules, behavior challenges, speech concerns, school readiness—you name it. And when those questions come up, they don’t want to go searching across the building to find help.
They want it right there, in the moment.
That’s why I made the intentional decision to keep parenting, early development, and education-related materials right alongside our board books and play area.
Not because it looked nice.
Because it worked.
What I Saw Firsthand
When I moved those materials into this space, something shifted.
Parents started picking things up without asking.
They browsed longer.
They checked out more.
It removed a barrier.
And honestly, that’s what we’re always trying to do, right?
Make things easier. More intuitive. More accessible.
Let’s Talk About Space (Because I Get It)
I want to acknowledge this, because it matters:
This setup isn’t going to work everywhere.
Space is limited. Layouts are fixed. Every building is different.
I understand that having parenting books near board books or play areas may not be feasible in your library.
And I really understand the space struggle.
A former colleague and I actually spent a full day visiting seven different Carnegie libraries just to see how they were using their spaces. And let me tell you—librarians are creative.
Every building had its own challenges, but they were all finding ways to make it work.
So if you’re feeling limited by your layout, you’re not alone.
But you might also have more flexibility than you think.
If there is an opportunity to shift things around—even a little—I would encourage you to try it.
Because in my experience, strategically reorganizing your space can make a real impact.
Not just for your patrons…
…but for your circulation stats too.
It’s Not Just About One Section
When I started rethinking the space, I didn’t stop with parenting materials.
I looked at the entire flow of the youth department.
What made sense to us as library staff didn’t always make sense to families walking in for the first time.
So I made some changes.
I added a phonics section (read more HERE), and then arranged materials in a way that actually followed a child’s reading journey:
Phonics → Leveled Readers → Early Chapter Books → Chapter Books
This alone made browsing so much easier.
Kids could find books at their level.
Caregivers felt more confident helping them.
And the whole space just made sense.
I also added the “5 Finger Rule” to these areas—with posters and bookmarks—so families had a simple, visual way to choose appropriate books.
These aren’t huge changes.
But they’re intentional ones.
And they add up.
Building a Collection That Reflects Your Community
Let’s talk about the parenting collection itself—because what’s on your shelves matters just as much as where it’s located.
A strong parenting collection should reflect the families who walk through your doors.
That means including resources for:
- Different family structures (single parents, grandparents raising children, foster and adoptive families)
- Cultural and linguistic diversity
- Neurodiverse children and developmental differences
- A range of parenting approaches and philosophies
But here’s the key:
You don’t have to guess what your community needs.
Ask them.
When caregivers are in your space, use that moment.
Ask:
- “Are you finding what you need?”
- “Is there anything you wish we had here?”
- “What would make this space easier for you to use?”
Those small conversations?
That’s where the real insight comes from.
And more importantly—that’s how you build relationships.
Relationships Matter (More Than Anything Else)
If you’ve followed my work for a while, you know this is something I come back to again and again:
Relationships are everything.
When caregivers feel comfortable talking to you, they’re more likely to:
- Ask for help
- Share what they need
- Come back
- Use your collection more fully
Your parenting section isn’t just a collection of books.
It’s a tool for connection.
It’s an opportunity to say:
“We see you. We support you. We’re here to help.”
And when you build that trust, everything else—circulation, engagement, program attendance—starts to follow.
Final Thought
You don’t need a full renovation to improve your space.
Sometimes it’s just about stepping back and asking:
Does this setup make sense to the people using it?
If the answer is no—or even “not really”—there’s an opportunity there.
Freshening up your space, rethinking placement, and creating a natural flow can:
- Increase circulation
- Improve the browsing experience
- Help families feel more confident using your collection
And it all starts with one simple shift:
Make the library work for them.
If you enjoyed this post and want to see others like it, check out these popular posts!
*This blog is intentionally ad-free. I want it to be a clean, distraction-free space. Here, public librarians can find practical ideas for youth services, outreach, and programming. There will be no pop-ups or sponsored clutter.
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