TRANSFORMATION STORY Madison Public Library

Small Libraries Create Smart SpacesTRANSFORMATION STORYMadison Public LibraryMadison, South Dakota

The CommunityEvery community is unique

THE COM M UNITYMadison, South Dakota Service population: 12,622 Location: Eastern South Dakota,close to Minnesota border Library website:madisonpubliclibrarysd.comSmall Libraries Create Smart Spaces

“Like many rural areas, Madison, SouthDakota—part of Lake County—is awelcoming place to put down roots and raisea family, start a business, or retire. Madisonalso has that work ethic and kindness theMidwest is famous for.”

Before the ChangesSmall libraries can create Smart Spaces

“Still, even with our work ethic and in-ittogether outlook, Lake County and MadisonPublic Library struggle to cover all thecommunity’s learning needs, especiallyregarding new technology.”

Small Libraries Create Smart SpacesBEF ORE THE CHANGESMeet Children’s LibrarianLisa MartinLisa Martin is not afraid to have fun. You cansee that enthusiasm in her greenscreenadventures, at right. Since becoming children’slibrarian at the Madison Public Library, Martinhas worked to provide technology for learnersof all ages, including an iPad program for twoto six-year-olds. However, she wants a spacethat will grow and adapt to the community’schanging needs.“Madison Public Library is willing to rearrangeshelving and seating, reassess storage, andrethink the space we currently have.”

Engage & ExploreEngaging community members in visioning and planning

The library used a Wish Tree activityto determine the community’s needsand wants.

ENGAGE & EXPLORESmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesMadison Public Library’s Wish TreesWish Trees were placed around thecommunity in nine places: the library(pictured right), local pizza place, a coffeeshop, community center, hospital, andcollege campus, as well as elementary,middle and high schools.Community members were asked to writeresponses on a paper leaf to these twoquestions: What do you like about Madison? What would make it even better?Asking non library-specific questions helped communitymembers get beyond their traditional assumptions aboutthe library and think more broadly about their aspirationsfor the community.

ENGAGE & EXPLORESmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesDot Board DiscoveryMadison Public Library used the data gathered and came up withfour ideas to dot board: gaming space, teen space, maker space,and business incubator.The dot board was up in the library for about two weeks and thentaken to Madison Discovery Days where over a hundred peoplevoted for their two favorite spaces. Teen space and makerspacewere neck in neck, but teen space won.

ENGAGE & EXPLORE“Residents lovethe small townlife. But theyyearn for morevariety.”Lisa MartinSmall Libraries Create Smart Spaces

Prepare for ChangeMaking way for transformation

To make the Madison Public Library afull family environment by creating a placefor tweens and teens not currently comingin to the library.“In our new Teen Space, kids ages 12-18will have the opportunity to interact witheach other and the community.”

PREPARE F OR CHANGESmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesFinding Room for TeensTo make way for transformation, the library engaged Life Scout Isaac Meyer, who laid tape lines on the floor tocreate a plan for relocating collections and moving shelving, thus opening up the area for the new Teen Space.

PrototypeTurning ideas into tangible models

PROTOTY PEMaking a simple, tangiblemodel of the ideas fortransformationSmall Libraries Create Smart Spaces

TransformMake it happen!

TRANSF ORMSmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesAn action plan to make the space happenA Teen Space, Surrounded by BooksThrough the community discovery process, Madison Public Library learned thatteens wanted their own space, one where they could be creative, but also be“surrounded by books.” Shelving units were reconfigured to create the feeling ofbook-filled walls while still allowing staff an accessible line of sight.

Small Libraries Create Smart SpacesTRANSF ORMTeens Stage a Harry Potter PartyBefore the new space began to take shape, agroup of teens took the initiative to produce afabulous Harry Potter Party. They designed andplanned all the details, including the entry to 9¾through a brick wall.Party participants avidly pursue theTeens fabricated Little Snitches asHunt for Horcruxes scavenger hunt.prizes for the games.

LEARNSmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesOne Small SuccessA Madison teen who isvery shy, will typicallyonly drop her siblings offat the library and notstay for programs untilthe Harry Potter event.“This time she decidedto stay and she had agood time!”The Teen Advisory Board also put together a photo booth (seen in the background) for the Harry Potter Party. SeveralTAB members, and Lisa, decided to do an “aw kw ard pose” w ay out in front of it.

LearnActivate the space with programming

CELEBRATE & SUSTAINSmall Libraries Create Smart SpacesTeen Space Open HouseTeens showed off their new technology at the Teen Space Open House. Items purchased to activate learning in the newspace include a MacBook Pro, camcorder kit, a digital multi-track recorder, Yeti podcasting microphone, studio headphones,and a greenscreen production kit. Adults were just as excited about the items as the teens. Martin hopes teens will be theteachers when adults come to the library to use the items.

Small Libraries Create Smart SpacesLEARNMeet the Madison Public Library Teen Advisory BoardNot only did Madison Public Library get anew Teen Space, they got a new TeenAdvisory Board (TAB). Comprisingapproximately 12 tweens and teens,members of the TAB meet regularly to helpLisa Martin plan teen programming at thelibrary.Their success with organizing the HarryPotter Party was resounding evidence thatthis teen group is ready to own and enjoytheir new space and take the lead increating programming.Members of Madison Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board at theTeen Space Open House program. Yay cake!

LEARNProgramming forand by teens“There is a hugepopulation of musicalteens in Madison.Teens form bands andhave a big interest intechnology.”Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces

Celebrate & SustainContinual community connection

Small Libraries Create Smart SpacesCELEBRATE & SUSTAINWhat the community is saying about the new space, and children’s librarian, Lisa Martin“It’s great. Lisa isa great children’slibrarian withreally great ideas.”“When I talk aboutthe town and thelibrary, I talk abouthow special thelibrary is.”“A huge stepforward,technology-wise,for the teens inthe community.It’s great to seethem gettinginvolved.”

For more information on how Small LibrariesCreate Smart Spaces and more case studiesplease visit oc.lc/SmartSpaces.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Association of Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) workedcollaboratively with WebJunction on all project phases. Project for Public Spaces (PPS) provided subjectexpertise, consultation and instruction. This project is made possible by support from OCLCand by a grant from the Institute of Museum & LibraryServices, LG-80-16-0039-16

TRANSFORMATION STORY Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces Madison Public Library Madison, South Dakota . Madison, South Dakota THE COMMUNITY “Like many rural areas, Madison, South Dakota—part of Lake County—is a welcoming place to put down roots and raise a family, start a business, or retire. Madison also has that work ethic and .