Designing-in Reading

Key Stage 4

April - September 2006

Designing-In Reading was an action research project exploring how design could impact on young people’s access to libraries. The project was established as a means of engaging young people, so as to understand why libraries are under-used by teenagers and how that could potentially be re-addressed by improved library environments.

Year 10 students from Stockton and Thornaby had the opportunity to voice and visualise the design interventions they would make to their local libraries through a series of activities including - a design introduction, a trip to award winning libraries in London, a session mapping their local public libraries and a 3D modelling session in a local arts centre.

Comments:

‘It got our imaginations working and gave us ideas. It was different – in a good way!’ (Year 10 student)

Funders:

The Reading Agency, Creative Partnerships Tees Valley

Partners:

Stockton Borough Library Service, GWK Architects, Ainsworth Spark Associates, The Norton Comprehensive School, Thornaby Community School