Making the Swap: A Low-Budget Project That Made a High Impact
Libraries are dynamic spaces that evolve to meet the needs of their communities. At Jennings County Library in Indiana, a simple yet transformative space swap between their local history room and teen center has brought new energy to both areas. With strategic planning guidance from ReThinking Libraries (RTL), Director Mary Abplanalp and her team made a bold move that is already paying off.
Identifying the Challenge
Jennings County Library (JCL) faced two key spatial challenges. Their teen center, while seemingly the right size, suffered from a poor layout that made it difficult for both social engagement and quiet browsing. Additionally, the teen space was highly visible upon entering the library, leading to noise flow issues.
Meanwhile, the library's outstanding local history collection—filled with genealogy resources and historical artifacts—was tucked away in a corner, virtually hidden from public view. Many community members didn’t even realize it existed.
The solution? A swap. By switching the locations of the teen center and the local history room, the library could create a more functional, engaging space for teens while bringing historical resources to the forefront.
The Strategy Behind the Swap
Rob Cullin of ReThinking Libraries immediately saw the potential in flipping the two spaces. The teen center’s former location, which had high visibility, was better suited for showcasing historical collections. On the other hand, the narrow, elongated local history room could be repurposed to create distinct zones—one for casual browsing by adults and another in the back where teens could gather, socialize, and game.
With Cullin’s guidance, Mary and her staff decided to tackle the move themselves. They assessed their shelving configurations, recognizing that most of the teen space’s wall-mounted shelves could remain in place while the specialty cabinets from the history collection could be moved over seamlessly.
“JCL didn’t bring in a designer; they just started moving things around,” Cullin explained. “Mary is a ‘guerilla-tactics’ kind of person—she’s willing to figure things out as she goes. She instantly loved the idea because it addressed a big problem.”
Moving Day: A Team Effort
Executing the switch required an all-hands-on-deck approach. The library closed for a day, with the initial plan of having prison trustees from the sheriff’s department help move the heavy furniture. When that fell through, staff members rolled up their sleeves and tackled the job themselves. Some even came in on a Sunday, lured by the promise of pizza, to shift furniture and reorganize the spaces.
While some staff members initially struggled to visualize the new layout, Mary stood firm in her decision. “As a director, I had to sell the vision,” she said. “The staff couldn’t see how it would turn out, but I knew it would work.”
The New Teen Center: A Space Built for Engagement
Now housed in the former local history room, the redesigned teen center offers an inviting and interactive environment. The front area contains the young adult collection, allowing adults to browse without intruding on teen space. Further back, teens enjoy a dedicated hangout zone equipped with foosball, air hockey, six e-sports computers, and two gaming stations with large-screen TVs for console play.
A key advocate for the e-sports component was the high school librarian, who serves on the library’s board. He recommended mounting flat-screen TVs on the wall so spectators could watch competitive gaming matches. The back of the room was designed to allow for dimmable lighting, enhancing the e-sports experience.
Showcasing Local History in a New Light
The move has significantly improved visibility for Jennings County’s rich local history collection. Now, as visitors walk into the library, they are immediately drawn to historical artifacts, including a railroad bench from the local train station and an original desk from the town’s Carnegie library.
The new location also enhances accessibility. Seniors and other visitors with mobility challenges can now explore historical exhibits without navigating deep into the library. Additionally, the space’s vertical layout allows for better display of posters and hanging items, enriching the storytelling experience.
An added benefit? The local history team now has a dedicated office within their space, making research and archival work more efficient.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans
After living in the new layout for a few months, Mary and her staff made minor tweaks—moving a few pieces of furniture to improve traffic flow. Overall, the transformation has exceeded expectations, proving that strategic space planning doesn’t always require a hefty budget or outside designers.
Looking ahead, Jennings County Library is preparing to open a branch in Vernon, Indiana. The project has faced delays due to grant funding and historic building approvals, but the branch is set to launch at the end of March. Initially planned for three days a week, Mary anticipates that demand will lead to expanded hours within a year.
A Model for Other Libraries
The success of this space swap serves as a powerful example for libraries considering similar transformations. With strategic planning, a willingness to experiment, and a dedicated team, libraries can make meaningful changes that enhance both community engagement and collection visibility.
“Mary’s courage to take on projects like this is inspiring,” Cullin said. “She doesn’t need everything figured out before starting—she’s willing to make adjustments along the way. That’s a mindset more libraries could embrace.”
By thinking outside the box—and, in this case, outside the room—Jennings County Library has created an innovative, functional space that better serves both history buffs and the next generation of library users.
