Location: Hartford Public Library
Libraries: Downtown Library
Key Contact: Marie Jarry, Chief Operating Officer
Project Focus: Restoration and reimagining of the Library following extensive flood damage
The Location
Hartford Public Library has been at the heart of its community since its founding in 1774. The Downtown Library, opened in 1957, continues this legacy as a vibrant hub that offers far more than traditional library services. From educational programs and cultural events to vital community resources, the Library serves as an inclusive gathering place for the people of Hartford.
Guided by a bold vision, Hartford Public Library aims to be “a national leader in redefining the urban public library in the 21st century as an innovative and stimulating place where people can learn and discover, explore their passions, and find a rich array of resources that contribute to a full life.”
The Challenge
On Christmas Eve 2022, a burst pipe caused extensive interior damage, forcing the Downtown Library to close for nearly two years. The Library team embraced the crisis as an opportunity to reimagine their main location. Partnering with the design firm Margaret Sullivan Studios, they set out to design a future-focused library interior that would be welcoming, functional, and adaptable.
The service desk strategy was an important aspect of this transformation. The Library required a suite of desks that would align visually with the new interior, support staff well-being, and offer long-term flexibility. For the first floor re-opening, they needed:
- A primary service counter for circulation, issues, and returns.
- A dedicated tech support desk.
- Two compact touch points distributed across the library.
Each desk needed to fulfil its core function while maintaining a cohesive look and feel throughout the space.
The Solution: YAKETY YAK Service Desks
Yakety Yak’s range of height-adjustable pods, desks, and counters offers Hartford Public Library a flexible, modern alternative to traditional service desks. Designed to stand alone or group together, and available in a wide selection of colors and finishes, they provide the versatility needed to meet the project requirements successfully.
- Two YAKETY YAK 101 Pods are deployed as a concierge desk welcoming patrons to the library, and a security station.
- Our YAKETY YAK 205 Island Desk is the ideal tech desk featuring two built-in drawers and paired with our Stand Alone Storage Module for added storage.
- YAKETY YAK 301 and 302 Counters comprise the main circulation counter supported by:
Why These Desk Designs Work
- Welcoming presence: Customers are greeted by one of our friendly YAKETY YAK 101 Pods as they walk in the door. Two 300 Series Counters create a responsive and approachable main service hub, with conveniently located bag shelves and ample space for easy interaction. Our YAKETY YAK 205 Island Desk, with its open and engaging design, is positioned so that a friendly staff member is close at hand to assist customers using the public computers.
- Staff and customer well-being: Height adjustability and an ergonomic design support comfort, accessibility, and healthier work practices, ensuring positive engagement for both patrons and staff.
- Responsive Design: YAKETY YAK service desks are adaptable and well-appointed for the task at hand. The 101 Pods and 205 Island Desk can be easily repositioned in response to the Library’s evolving requirements.
- Built to last: Robust construction and high-quality components ensure longevity, providing service spaces that will support staff and customers for years to come.
Colours, Finishes and Options
- AGED ASH worktops contrast gracefully with the smart and on-brand NAVY BLUE upper desk frontages.
- BLACK lower frontages on all desks were a great choice for visual cohesion.
- Brushed stainless steel kickers, available as an upgrade, elevate the look of the central circulation counter, delivering a refined, contemporary finish.
- Signage featuring Hartford Public Library’s logo was applied to the desk frontages, connecting the service points to the Library branding and interiors while making them easy to identify for patrons.
- Pop Spot Pencil Drawers provide the 101 Pods with a small amount of storage.
- All the desks are fitted with our range of ATDEC Monitor Arms.
Flexible and Future-Proof
YAKETY YAK pods, desks and counters are an ideal choice for a library looking to the future. Features like height-adjustability, mobility, and a mix-and-match approach enable our products to evolve with the space and readily adapt and repurpose as needs change.
The re-opened sections of Hartford Public Library’s Downtown Library are only the first phase of the planned improvements. The Library has launched a Restore, Renew & Reimagine Campaign to fundraise for further development to support their vision of creating a library for the future.
We loved working with Hartford Public Library and are excited that, as part of their ongoing improvements, they have recently ordered four more service desks from the YAKETY YAK range. We can’t wait to see how these are deployed in their reimagined spaces.
Customer Feedback
When it came to selecting new service desks, I knew I wanted to go with Yakety Yak, and the experience has exceeded expectations. I was so impressed by their versatility and portability, and working with the Yakety Yak team was very easy—they were able to match the desk colors to our redesign and even incorporate our library logo. Staff appreciate the generous surface area, which feels welcoming rather than like a barrier, and the ability to adjust the desk height to their personal preference. Customers have responded positively as well, especially enjoying the convenient bag shelves at the front of our main service point. Overall, the desks have been a perfect fit for our space and have enhanced both staff workflow and customer experience.
– Marie Jarry, Chief Operating Officer
We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the versatility of function that these desks offer! The ability to adjust the height of our work areas with the press of a button helps staff stay comfortable, allowing us to focus on serving library users. Both functional and stylish, these desks heighten the aesthetic of the space and assist in creating a welcoming accessible environment.
– Joel Newsome, Downtown Library Manager
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