Public Library Teen Space

Grounded in research, this book introduces the interdisciplinary concept of social control in the built environment to LIS and explores its value in creating authentic public library teen space.

This research study introduces a new approach to public library teen space design that broadens our understanding of how teen spaces are designed and used and how to leverage social control in the built environment as a tool in creating authentic teen space.

As context for the research, this study begins with the history of the public library, the history of teen services, and the history of adolescence. Unlike extant LIS literature, Lee is concerned with the impact of preexisting notions of teens on the design and configuration of teen space and the resultant impact on teen behavior and use concerning these spaces. The value of this book lies in three separate areas. First, it introduces the interdisciplinary concept of social control in the built environment to library and information sciences. Second, it makes a significant contribution to LIS literature by providing much-needed research on teens as a user group, the history and current landscape of library services to teens, and teen space design and function. Third, it contributes to the field by linking research with practice. A unique approach to teen services and teen space design, this research study is a timely addition to the LIS literature.