EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
Rebuilding the relationship between tweens and the public library after school.
→ Service Gap Assessment and Roadmap
→ Two Implementable Case Studies
→ Research Diagrams for Librarian Training
This was a solo project for my Service Design Master’s Degree Capstone requirement. Overseen by: Professor Silke Bochat / School: Savannah College of Art and Design
With support from: Bethlehem Public Library and BCMS tweens and librarians
Libraries are overlooking the tween demographic.
As middle-schoolers outgrow children's services, they enter a no-man’s-land in their transition to the young adult section that drives a sharp decline in library attendance. My Capstone Project at Savannah College of Art and Design, Social Catalyst, addressed this issue using service design and a nature-inspired engagement framework.
Instead of acting as reactive rule-enforcers, librarians become trusted guides, empowering tweens with autonomy and real community responsibility. Proven through a 76% participant Net Promoter Score, this low-friction model optimizes existing assets to transform libraries into active, youth-led community hubs.
Want to dive into the research, prototyping, and framework details? Explore the sections below.
Our key project outcomes:
$0
added cost to library
15+
stakeholder interviews
02
training-ready case studies
05
procedural gaps identified
03
phases of implementation
08
modular action steps
Here are the gaps we found:
01
Gap One: The public library and the middle school weren’t talking enough
A lack of communication protocols and joint programs between the middle school and the public library lead to knowledge loss and churn-based operational burdens.
03
Gap Three: Tweens couldn’t clearly see what was available to them
Tweens often view the library strictly as a place for books and public computers. They did not know about other resources like wifi, chargers or food access.
Existing staff lack contemporary training tailored to the unique developmental needs of the Gen Alpha tween age group in the age of artificial intelligence and social media.
04
Gap Four: Young Adult training wasn’t updated for Gen Alpha
05
Gap Five: The steps from Child to YA services weren’t clear or inviting
Without structured guidance into the YA section, tweens often felt disconnected or unsupported when aging out of traditional children's programming.
02
Gap Two: Programs didn’t take tween group mentality into account
Programs were not designed around group attendance or last-minute participation, which created social discomfort for tweens and barriers to peer-buy in.
“This project stood out to me. I think it's a great idea and would love to implement it here! This would be so authentic and purposeful. Definitely a 5 out of 5.”
- Justine, BCMS School Librarian
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