Getting in the (Teen) Zone: Evaluating Young Adult Spaces in Public Libraries Through a User-Experience Framework

Abstract

Designated young adult spaces in public libraries, often called “teen zones,” are designed as spaces for young adults to engage in activities that support their developmental needs. These spaces are necessary for young adults in public libraries, who may feel unwelcome due to restrictive institutional policies and a lack of study spaces. While young adult spaces are designed following guidelines established by library associations, such as YALSA and OPLA, these facilities risk generalizing the varying interests and needs expressed by youth at different stages of adolescence. This report explores early, middle, and late adolescents’ expressed needs of library spaces compared to the guidelines used to create teen zones. Through a user-experience emphasis on the design and evaluation of young adult spaces, information professionals can design public library spaces that address the unique needs of all users, rather than a generalized few.