Redesigning to Engage

The Lexicon at
Queensway Secondary School

One of the original study schools in the Building a Reading Culture study, Queensway Secondary had a strong reading culture focusing on supporting students’ engaged reading even prior to the library study. As part of its ambition to engage students even more, the school collaborated with MOE and NIE to redesign its future-ready library.
The revamped library, completed at the end of 2022, resulted in a brighter space, with multiple collaborative, reading and studying spaces to meet the diverse learning needs of the students.

Meeting 21st Century Learning Needs through Design

A Design Mindset

*The school reconfigured a reading zone as a prototype in 2018 and found that students enjoyed using the space*

*Prototype discussion zone before the library renovation showed that students liked having choice of furniture for work and leisure*

The school leaders and teachers were invested in constantly evaluating student needs to improve the opportunities for reading engagement throughout the research project. Based on findings from the earlier 2017 study, different kinds of reading and collaborative spaces were prototyped. Students’ positive responses affirmed the need to include these spaces and suitable furniture in the new library.

*Clear signages to help students find new reads*

*Book talkers help to advertise and educate*

Between 2018 to 2019, the library coordinators also weeded the library collection, and with support of a book grant from CPDD MOE, purchased new books that would appeal to their students. Makeshift signages helped to spruce up the collection and announce new titles to the students.

Redesigning the Space

*SUTD students getting user feedback about colour and furniture preference in the canteen*

In 2019, the school embarked on a library renovation project. Working with Final Year students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), they envisioned a space that would support 21st century competencies dispositions of engaged reading, collaborative and self-directed work as well as hands-on learning. However, due to pandemic restrictions and building hurdles such as leaks from the roof, the school was only able to complete the renovation in 2022.

The initial ideation sessions were particularly fruitful, providing us with the opportunity to engage our stakeholders (especially our students) to find out what they wanted from their library.

Mr Makoto, Library Coordinator

*A beautiful skylight and large windows on one side of the library, part of the original design*

The original space was already pleasant, with large windows and an unusual skylight on one side of the library. However, this exacerbated the lack of windows on the other side, resulting in a significantly darker space due to the contrasts.

*Glass window stretching across the entrance, newly created to let in more light to the other end of the library*

In the renovated library, removing the wall on one side allowed light in, giving the library a more spacious light atmosphere. Opening up the space also allowed students to look in, to be drawn in by the curated book collections, activities and spaces for learning.

*Discussion pods, one of the most popular spots in the library*

To encourage collaboration, the school wanted to create spaces where students could discuss and work together within the library. Keeping in mind student preference for privacy and to balance the need for supervision, the design of wooden slats for discussion pods was decided on to give occupants a sense of privacy while ensuring visibility of the students. The school also paid attention to detail, using curved edges to soften the overall look of the pods, making them more welcoming and also aligned with the predominant use of curves throughout the library.

*Hanging lights controlled by a switch beneath the tables*

It’s my favourite place in the whole school. Cool colours. It gives a Starbucks vibe. It’s cosy.

Shanti, Secondary 1

The tables in the collaboration zone are also easily movable, allowing for the space to be easily converted into an activity zone. Movie screenings and workshops are some activities that have been conducted in the library.

This is supplemented by the placement of the stage on one side of the collaboration zone and a projector and screen on the other, allowing for performances, talks, and other activities to be held by easily shifting the furniture.

Engaged Reading as a Priority

Interesting and Relevant Literature Collection

*The school’s comics collection is immensely popular amongst students*

*A wide variety of sub-genres within the graphic novel genre are available*

To facilitate students’ engaged reading, the school invested in an extensive collection of specially curated comics and graphic novels, including popular mangas, western comics and educational graphic novels. The library’s collection thus becomes a point of interest that attracts students who may not be otherwise interested in visiting the library. These comics are a reading right in themselves but also become a bridge to other interesting books in the library.

A Space Designed for Reading

*Front-facing books on display on shelves*

The top-lit bookshelves also serve to make the books appear much more appealing, drawing students’ eyes towards the literature displayed on the shelves. The appearance of the shelves also creates a warm, open and inviting atmosphere for students to engage in reading within the library.

*Built-in lights bring attention to the books*

I like the school library because it's comfortable, has a lot more reading material than before and it’s easier to find the books I want. I like to sit in one of those rocking chairs that hang from the ceiling to read.

Liam, Secondary 3

*NLB interactive screen extends reading possibilities*

The NLB interactive screen within the library displays attractive titles and book covers, connecting to students to the wider library network. Students can scan the QR code to borrow e-books. Through the pre-loaded NLB app in their Chromebook, students are encouraged to borrow e-books.

*Comfortable seating in the library provides quiet spaces for reading and relaxing*

The deliberate arrangement of the chairs in the reading area is such that the chairs face outwards instead of facing each other. The design pattern principles derived from the earlier study showed that placement of seats are important to communicate the usage of space. When armchairs are placed facing each other, students occupying the seating tend to engage in conversation instead of engaging with quiet reading as the space was intended for. Attending to the placement of furniture is crucial to space design for learning.

*Anime screening in conjunction with the library’s popular manga collection*

A Programming Aimed at Engaging Students

The school’s library club often plans and executes special events to be held within the library that align with the interests of the student population. This is in conjunction with the goal to encourage reading.

In the photograph, the tables and chairs have been removed to allow a movie screening of Spy x family, a popular anime. Researchers in the library observe that students often come to the library to read the manga from the series.

The library design is such that while the screening occurs on the right end of the library, students wishing to study and discuss are still able to utilise the other half of the library without too much disturbance.

Future-ready Libraries

Libraries in the 21st century need to embrace the multi-faceted roles they play to develop the skills and dispositions towards reading, research, collaboration, study and doing.

To further engage its students, Queensway Secondary will continue to develop its collection and programming, creating a space that is attuned to the learning needs of its students.

Editor's note - The names of the students appearing in this article have been replaced with pseudonyms.