Planning Your Library
Planning a school library should feel exciting, not overwhelming. At The Library Company, we make it easy to create truly unique learning spaces that inspire pupils, reflect your school’s ethos, and support a love of reading. This guide is designed to help schools understand how to plan their space effectively, including layout, capacity, and practical considerations.
From the first conversation to the final shelf, we take care of everything, offering a fully bespoke design service, expert guidance, and handcrafted library furniture made to fit your space and vision perfectly.
If you are looking for a complete design and installation service, you can view our school library design service.
Explore the questions we get asked the most below.
What to Consider Before Designing a School Library
Create an environment for everyone
-
how the space will be used
-
number of pupils using the library
-
available floor space
-
storage requirements
-
accessibility needs
Book Capacity and Storage
Understanding how many books your library needs to hold will influence shelving and layout decisions.
-
current collection size
-
future growth
-
display vs storage balance
-
additional storage solutions
Library Layout and Space Planning
A great layout helps create a functional and engaging environment
-
zoning areas for different activities
-
clear walkways and flow
-
book display visibility
-
seating placement
-
quiet reading zones/group reading areas
-
interactive spaces
Budget Planning
It is important to establish a realistic budget early.
Costs will depend on:
-
size of space
-
specification of furniture
-
level of custom design
The next step: a professional library design by The Library Company
Once you have loosely planned your space, the next step is turning it into a fully designed and installed library. See below to see how we can bring your library to life.
View our school library design service to explore all of the services we offer.
How We Bring Your Library to Life
02
Get in contactwith
us
Consultation
We begin with a visit to your school, where we’ll explore the space, discuss your goals, and listen to your vision and ideas. Whether you have a clear plan or are just getting started, we’ll help shape the project and create a wonderful tailored design.
05
Craft
Based on your needs, we create a bespoke library design, complete with CAD drawings and a detailed quotation. You’ll see exactly how the space will be used, and we’ll revise the plan if needed to get every detail just right.
Installation
Our professional installers fit everything on-site, working to your schedule during term time or holidays. We liaise with your site team to ensure minimal disruption and a safe, smooth install.
Design
01
03
04
Frequently asked questions
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
Let’s plan your library.
Call now to discuss your space, we’ll help shape a solution that works for you.
07957 333 790
