How to design a library that makes kids want to read | Michael Bierut

When Michael Bierut was tapped to design a logo for public school libraries, he had no idea he was embarking on a years-long passion project. In this often hilarious talk, he recalls his obsessive quest to bring energy, learning, art and graphics into these magical spaces where school librarians can inspire new generations of readers and thinkers.
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.
Follow TED on Twitter: / tedtalks
Like TED on Facebook: / ted
Subscribe to our channel: / ted

[@44043495]

I am 64 years old, I will start my PHd within few months. My thesis will be “teaching children age 5-9 all about business“. I think this video will be big help for me. My daughter is an architect, I sent her a copy of this great video.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

ah, I like how you're creating a ripple effect!

[@ajdhjaoakdn2ndgoogleaccoun929]

A copy. Of a video. Right...

[@tinathompson1129]

Good luck with your PhD.

[@SulemanKhan008]

Sir is your phd completed?

[@Ahrysa]

its so cool how the concept kept growing from that initial photo set. The end results all look amazing, I wish we had more libraries like these.

[@eylemozkaramanli7332]

Working on a school library project now and somehow bumped to this video! made me cry, thank you thank you thank you.... Such an inspiration and showed/reminded me that as a community we can make this happen if we put our super-powers together.... We just need to care, and let the profeccionals do their work... in this example, let the librarians do their magic together with the kids, just give them a much needed inspirational space and resources and watch what happens !...

[@hiddengemsliteraryemporium]

So are we!! We could really use your help! We are building a library for a middle school who has not had one for over 20 years!

[@nadhervina]

wow this is amazing. I'm soon-to-be librarian and kinda sad how the library was look like but you did a great thing. this is so inspiring♡

[@moodi422]

Nadiah Istiqomah Good luck Nadiah, hope you find being a librarian fun and interesting.

[@tinycandypanda]

It was my dream to become a librarian until I discovered how much of a drama queen I was. Now pursuing drama therapy. Kudos for sticking up for books and quiet reading time

[@cheesecake4648]

I'm almost a librarian myself!

[@edgarortiz1366]

A wonderful ted talk for young designers. To remind us that the work we do shouldnt be based around our portfolio or "cleverness". And its also nice to see that the celebrities of design like michael beirut dont always get it right on the first try either.

[@Aritul]

Edgar Ortiz. I agree.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

yes, functionality over cleverness. general people should get the gist, the purpose/meaning instantly.

[@pepsicoke4080]

Michael's blog posted a digitized "Adam Lanza"'s face on a body, playing dance-dance revolution, to try to prove that SandyH00K's not a hoax.

[@MrJacobPhoenix]

But when will Ted actually talk?

[@peterfalconer]

Phoenix El Classifico Spelaren I don’t know, but I heard MySpace Tom might make an appearance. 😆

[@jamesmedalla7043]

I have a Library at School which is based on old-timey Philippine Houses from where I live. They have a fair amount of books and have lots of plants and its so calming to read there. Though most of my classmates only go there to play chess but still I like my Library very much!

[@cassielewis7864]

when he's talking about the librarian reminding herself why she comes to work (around 11:25) you can hear that his voice almost wavers with emotion

[@brendarua01]

What a wonderful story! Thank you, TED, for sharing.

[@darkmist977]

No just call it a MMORPG and they will read crazy endless walls of text

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

This is why I feel like everyone who's done edutainment games were morons. There's so much potential in them!

[@tinycandypanda]

Now I won't say education games are moronic. I played my fair share of mmorpg AND was an avid fan of jump start as a kid. I mean, when I had less language skills I really enjoyed the stories in jump start, and the hard quests (some of them include art / world history too at primary school levels - some of which are things I still use in my BA degree!) super engaging. Meanwhile, as I grew older I started to tend towards mmorpg and appreciating the story arcs, the clever puzzles and quest obsessions. I think education games are very useful to opening up a child's mind to newer, difficult ideas.

[@QuietDuplicity]

That was true years ago, now most players just follow the quest marker on the hud or minimap, reading quest text is a last ditch effort when they still can't figure out what to do. Many players will even ask in chat before reading the quest text they are that lazy.

[@theamici]

same here!

[@mateuszkubala1800]

Brownninja97 i

[@benjaminsmith5862]

The way he speaks makes me feel breathless.

[@DuluthTW]

I love the green library. This was a great topic. Thanks for sharing!

[@Silverspecks]

I thought this was going to be about a method of organizing books that's easier to navigate than the Dewey Decimal System.

[@justmashpodcastnetwork3512]

My friend and I talked about the TED and KZbin combo on our podcast, the two platforms have helped educate people in ways that never would have been possible beforehand

[@rajarsheegupta591]

Most significant. Feeling hopeful about young learners after listening to this talk.

[@renishghetiya901]

Wonderful session on how to design a library that makes kids want to read

[@AnthonyHaux]

I love this channel! almost all of the videos u guys make r so self inspiring!

[@44043495]

I believe that you can learn anything if you make it playful.

[@-katthebooknerd-3714]

Yea kids need schools that make kids excited to learn

[@MegOkuraJazz]

BEAUT!FUL

[@Aritul]

ReasonLogicJazz. ☺

[@laksamee4637]

thanks!!! this makes me feeling better every day

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Inspiring indeed! Functionality over cleverness. General people should get the gist, the purpose/meaning instantly.

[@AVIJITDAS-ty4ki]

thank you sir for your outstanding speech.

[@apeshitclothing]

Reading is fundamental

[@kulik03]

nope

[@talhatariqyuluqatdis]

kulik03 ?

[@alkagawas87]

Thank you for sharing knowledge.

[@bhaginapatel4264]

Thank you sir for outstanding speech

[@anweshabhattacharya8808]

Thank you for the interesting talk on making libraries more attractive.

[@kd1s]

Well when I was in school, the school library was well stocked. But my favorite was the Public Library. I could get lost in the stacks reading all sorts of programming, technical and other books.

[@nishantpandya1988]

We have to make our students visit the library. Nice inspiring talk.

[@allabouttruth8865]

it is great idea....tanks for your presentation ...if we take this idea ...it is going to blow our mind...

[@s.a.l2919]

Indeed an enriching and enlightening session

[@dr.vijaypatil848]

Thank you for the interesting talk on making libraries more attractive

[@LanceWinslow]

EXCELLENT! WELL DONE!

[@dr.amalendusamanta]

Thanks for such wonderful lecture

[@chandreshkharadi5767]

Nicely explained with a great story

[@goutampahari4820]

Wonderful talk. Everyone should listen it carefully.

[@janellecox-douglas1725]

I wanna hug this guy omg! Am really inspired 😍

[@rupanbaro5849]

Very interesting session. Its amazing design.

[@JessicaGeorge9674]

Amazing work!

[@MrSageCurtis]

These are the talks I like listening to.

[@Mithhi03]

Wonderful talk.. great initiative

[@incognitoriaanonymousita172]

I love TED talks!

[@nagbhushanagoudp628]

amazing design. Very interesting session

[@apurbamandal4102]

Informative information Thank you sir🙏

[@rakeshmakwana950]

Thank you Informative session on library

[@CommanderBR]

Amazing transformation.

[@harshitkothari4102]

Good lecture on library decoration!

[@klaassonyp4769]

You guys need to put subtitles on the vid in a many lanuages ,

[@caringlovetv6998]

Love the topic!

[@kavitagalchar1705]

Helpful session

[@dr.swetadesai546]

Very good ideas about library which makes kids to develop intreset in reading.

[@shamprasadvarijaraghu6878]

Thank you for this nice information.

[@dinbandhuprajapati3885]

Its really interesting to decorated library.thank you

[@sheliya2357]

What a wonderful story ❤

[@coralday2009]

I Love this, clever man!

[@lt.r.b.chaudhary4328]

Really informative session on library

[@ibrahimtwahirkilagwa653]

Wonderful talk. it really enlighten me

[@ijayita]

Nice speech.Thank you.

[@pratikacharya7889]

Very nice information

[@jigneshraval9673]

Good to know about necessary information.

[@tinathompson1129]

Librarians and teachers really put their heart in soul into their work. They deserve the same as these business people. They keep our society a float not business men.

[@jigneshpurabiya379]

very interesting lecture and such a new concept

[@user-ue4cl4gg8l]

فيديو رائع جدا بما تحمله هذه الكلمة من معاني اشكركم علي الترجمة التي هي اكثر روعة Beautfile vedu......

[@Syphorce]

This is so underrated. I hope I can do some inspiring work like this...and make money lol

[@amitapatel2822]

A very good session to design the library.

[@bhawanamanekar46]

Fantastic way of designing library

[@janakprajapati5119]

Very informative 🙏🏻

[@pjauthur9869]

love this

[@jigneshkumarlimbachiya8282]

Man I wish Libraries were called the Owl. That's so badass. I love it

[@Aritul]

One of the neatest videos I've watched today.

[@dr.manojl.chaudhari2622]

Very useful information 🙏

[@frabo888]

Hi Im in the UK and want to get information on my close relative, an artist. I see you have a listing for him, but it seems i have to come to Australia to access it . Let me know when and if I can access images or info on line ?

[@juthikabiswakarma]

Wonderful talk.

[@Spekopoulos]

What a great storyteller.

[@shohelsagar5012]

sir, what is the best orientation about library design?

[@SusansEasyRecipes]

Reading is very important. Good video.

[@vishnuhadal2704]

Very nice lecture thank you.

[@avinashkudva8592]

Nice TED talk on designing a library

[@drbassasatyannarayana2507]

Very excellent lecture Thanks and regards Dr BASSA SATYANNARAYANA

[@ridipkhanikar6200]

Useful video...nice presentation

[@meenakshikamboj3182]

Best conversation

[@charmiparekh3418]

Informative session...

[@ananddhirbassi1906]

this was Very interesting session. Its amazing design.

[@sejalpatel1025]

Wonderful lecture

[@hasinasikdar8783]

Thank your for this information

[@Firmus777]

This guy looks like a sitcom character. There is just something Raymondy (or is it Seinfeldy) about him.

[@ShaudaySmith]

I see it! Maybe it's because he's from New York? Seinfeld takes place in New York and Everybody Loves Raymond takes place in Long Island.. and that observatory almost apathetic way of talking about things that he didn't do while patting himself on the back for the things he thought he did well... New York-ish..lol

[@SurrealKangaroo12]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@onthesky9864]

great, well done.

[@user-jr4oo4bl8h]

ted vedios r changing my life

[@BotchedGod]

This was nice. I agree tho, get people more involved and have more activity in Libraries and they will be more vibrant and used.

[@sarojsolanki5119]

Very useful

[@DrMANISHBRAVAL]

Superb session.

[@binitadevi1370]

Very important discussion.

[@sannitabell]

This is so cool!!

[@RafaelSantos-xl1ut]

I'M AMAZED!!! :o

[@madhushreemukherjee1255]

Nice content.Thank you.

[@scaltheceiling]

I WISHED OUR LIBRARIES LOOKED LIKE THAT!!!

[@Sa_natan]

Informative session

[@meisha123]

love this!

[@ShaudaySmith]

i'm surprised this is a Ted talk... and not a TedxTalk... this talk was so anecdotal that it wasn't about anything in particular. Official TED talks share ideas, concepts, possible solutions to certain problems. This was just a guy talking about a thing he had to do... and honestly, after he created the logo he didn't sound all the vested in the project but here you see him patting himself on the back for the whole endeavour. This is huge charity organization called him up to donate a logo and he did... good job bro..they asked him if he knew anyone that could help design/decorate the interiors, he gave them his wife's contact number and the names of some other artists.... good job bro.

[@manojpandya974]

Nice explain, Thank you

[@connormcgrath5800]

I have a few issues with this. First, kids (and people in general) aren’t going to be too concerned with a new, “fun”, name. The term “library” is so culturally ingrained within us that, no matter what the official name for it is, they’ll refer to a big room with a lot of books as a library. There’s no getting around that. Second, the environment (or more importantly the design of the environment) will always leave a more lasting impression than any name or graphic or single art piece. If the room is the same generic ‘school library’ then it’ll still be a forgettable, bland space. Which will in turn affect one’s willingness to return to that space. Design affects behavior. If the space is dull and bland, students are less likely to return. However, if the design were to be changed to something that inspires thought and questioning, that allows the person or student to see that space in a new light, they’ll be much more drawn to that space. The architecture, the layout, the materials, the lighting, the decor, the furniture, all of it influences the impression and ultimately the behavior in someone. I’d also like to address that bit about a library being a place where there is no shushing, and loud sounds and talking are encouraged. That’s incredibly stupid. It might work for kindergarten or elementary school kids, but anything beyond that and you’ll be neglecting the needs of other kids who prefer the quiet either because they’re simply introverts or because they have a mental disability where they can’t handle overstimulation. And in a school, I can’t think of any place other than a library where someone like that can retreat to.