Picture your media center five years from now—will your library shelving still meet your needs?
Over the past decade, media centers have undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a traditional library filled with rows of books has become a space for technology, collaboration and creativity.
As media centers change and adapt, planning for the future rather than just addressing today’s needs is essential.
Choosing the right library shelving is one key element in future-proofing your media center. With shelving usually taking up two-thirds of the budget, it’s not something you can afford to get wrong.
That’s where WB comes in. We offer customizable, flexible library bookcases and displays that grow and change with your media center, keeping your space functional and ready for whatever comes next.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing library shelving for your media center:
1. How Many Books Will You Need to Store?
Before shopping for library shelving, it’s important to think ahead by projecting your book volume over the next three to five years. Are you expecting your collection to expand, or are you planning on shifting more toward digital resources?
At WB, we help you avoid the common mistake of overestimating by designing individual bookcases tailored to your current volume. All you need to do is fill out our Media Center Intake Form where we ask about your capacity needs. From there, we’ll take care of the rest.
There’s also no need to overbuy—if your collection grows, you can easily add more bookcases. This helps prevent wasted space and resources while allowing flexibility as your collection grows or shrinks.
2. What Type of Library Shelving Do You Need?
Many schools have relied on starter adder shelving systems for years, often leading to empty shelves as future growth is overestimated, especially with the increasing shift toward digital resources. For example, imagine a media center with 21 feet of wall space for shelving but the school is looking to reclaim 12 feet for new computer stations. With starter adder shelving, you’d have to dismantle and store those extra sections, often leaving them unused for years. Some schools may even struggle to dismantle the shelving properly, resulting in empty, unused shelves that occupy valuable floor space.
Modular and mobile bookcases offer a far more flexible solution as your media center’s needs change. We provide both options, allowing you to rearrange and reconfigure your space easily.
If your book volume decreases, you can relocate modular and mobile bookcases to different parts of the school, like classrooms where teachers may need extra storage. This adaptability makes it easy to repurpose, helping you maximize your resources without wasting space as you would with starter adder shelving.
3. Will You Need Library Shelving for More Than Just Books?
Today’s media centers serve multiple roles beyond book storage and quiet reading areas. Many now include classroom setups or breakout rooms where librarians or educators teach classes. Depending on the class type, you may need storage for makerspace supplies, puzzles, Legos, totes or even non-traditional items like baking pans.
Some media centers even have dedicated storage rooms in the back to keep everything organized.
If your collection includes magazines, we offer Magazine Displays with Angled Shelves, making it easy for students to browse and access current issues.
4. How Tall Do Your Bookcases Need to Be?
The height of your bookcases should align with the age group your media center serves. Shorter bookcases, for example, offer easy access for younger students in elementary schools.
If you’re placing bookcases in the middle of the room, you’ll also want to ensure they’re a shorter height to maintain clear sight lines, increase student safety and reduce the risk of mischief.
Book height is also important when determining the height of your bookcases. Make sure that shelving space accommodates the tallest books you plan to store so they can fit without being crammed or causing damage. Some children’s books tend to be large, and that’s where our Big Book Storage comes in handy.
5. Will You Need Book Displays?
Book displays are a must-have in any media center, especially in elementary schools. Strategically placed throughout the space, book displays help create an inviting environment and encourage students to read. For younger students who might not be able to read the spines of books, displays such as Book Browsers allow them to flip through covers and illustrations, sparking their interest and encouraging them to explore new titles.
Specialty displays, like our Reading Tree and Reading Fort, add a fun touch while providing cozy reading nooks that get kids even more excited to dive into a good book.
6. How Do You Want Students to Feel?
While function is important, your media center’s design should be inviting and visually appealing. Soft wood tones, two-tone finishes and pops of color can create an environment where students and teachers enjoy spending time.
Our Mobile Curved Bookcases, Single Sided Bookcases with Staggered Dividers or Bookcases with Bottom Drawers can also enhance the overall look of the space.
Any of our bookcases can be designed to match your vision and complement the overall space.
7. How Will Your Shelving Stand Up to Daily Use?
Students can be tough on furniture, no matter their age. That’s why choosing durable, high-quality pieces is so important. At WB, our library shelving and displays are built with longevity in mind, using strong materials and doweled construction for added durability. You can trust that your investment will last, even as your media center’s needs evolve.
Let’s Design a Future-Ready Media Center
The best value comes from choosing individual bookcases that serve today’s needs while remaining adaptable for the future. Library shelving that can be repurposed elsewhere in your district ensures lasting value and maximizes your investment. As media centers continue to change, our modular and mobile solutions provide the flexibility needed to grow and adapt to changing times.
We’re here to help you design a media center that’s both functional and visually appealing. Whether you’re outfitting a new space or updating an existing one, our team is ready to support you every step of the way.
Ready to get started? Complete our Media Center Intake Form and let’s create a space that meets your needs today and in the future!