Creating Libraries and Secret Reading Nooks

In every school I have worked at over the years, I have always taken the initiative to create safe spaces for the students. Creating libraries, secret reading nooks, reading classrooms, safe quiet rooms bring interior design and decorating into the mix. This always felt completely natural to me given my background in art and given my belief that we all need to feel safe to learn and thrive, but also my belief in the importance of being in and learning in a beautiful environment.

I believe in creativity being an integral part of our lives. In how we learn, in where we learn, what we are surrounded by whilst learning.

Creating libraries was always an easier task. Much easier to convince the people in charge of the money at schools that we need a library so we can encourage our students to read more books. My love of reading also played a big part. Still to this day there is no feeling better than playing rookie on a day when it is raining and stay in my beautiful bed all day reading, just like I used to do on rainy summer days when I was a child.

While working at a Special Needs school in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen I was able to create a beautiful mini library in our building and a hidden reading nook.

The hidden reading nook at this school was my attempt at creating an environment where the students that needed it where able to find calm and a feeling of safety during the day. A place where they could retreat to breath. As my values state on my homepage I believe that creating and nurturing feelings of calm and safety are undeniably important and absolutely essential to any learning and all feelings of well-being. Students that feel safe, learn better, it really is sometimes that simple.

I am not saying all our challenges can be solved with libraries and hidden reading nooks, creating these spaces is a starting point and takes us in the right direction. Here is to creating beautiful spaces for the next generations to learn in, healthy buildings, with healthy lighting and acoustics, and safe quiet rooms in every hidden corner.