At Yakety Yak, we believe good design starts with people—how they move, work, and interact. That’s why our library service pods, desks, and counters are ergonomically designed to enhance well-being. Featuring gently curved worktops and electronic height adjustability, every detail is crafted to create a more accessible, comfortable and responsive experience for staff and customers. In this post, we showcase some recent projects to demonstrate how our ergonomic designs are transforming customer service in libraries.
Curved desktops support natural movement
Our curved desktops are thoughtfully designed to support natural movement, creating a comfortable fit and a user-friendly workspace (learn more here). There is room to optimally position equipment, leaving plenty of clear work space for tasks like book processing. The desktop contours encourage friendly, open interaction with customers.
Height adjustability creates flexibility for staff
People come in all shapes and sizes. Height adjustability enables staff to adjust the desk to meet their individual requirements and respond effectively to the task at hand. This is an essential feature for customer service settings where multiple staff members will be using the desk at different times. The flexibility to adjust the desk to an ergonomic height and switch between seated and standing positions throughout the day supports staff well-being, by reducing fatigue and the risk of occupational injuries.
Height adjustability helps staff respond to customers’ needs
Height adjustability sets the tone for friendly service, enabling staff to adapt the desk to suit the unique needs of each customer and the style of interaction (in a matter of seconds!). For example, the desks can be adjusted to a seated position for longer exchanges or when assisting elderly patrons or people with special needs. Alternatively, a standing desk, used for shorter exchanges, can be lowered to help facilitate a friendly interaction with a child. Whatever the scenario, Yakety Yak desks help foster connection and a warm welcome.
A curved meeting end supports easy interaction
A curved meeting end further supports comfortable interaction with customers, creating a welcoming space for conversing across the desk and sharing information. Combined with height adjustability, the curved meeting end promotes an inclusive, accessible and user-friendly environment that puts people at ease.
Prioritising ergonomic design in your library is essential for creating an environment that supports the health and well-being of staff and customers. With their ergonomic, curved worktops and height adjustability, Yakety Yak pods, desks and counters help you put people first — creating spaces that feel better, function better and make life a little easier for library staff and the communities they serve.
What our customers say
“The styling and flexibility of the height adjustability is what first drew us to the product. The different custom options and great customer service sealed the deal for us. All of the staff and patrons at the Library love the new YAKETY YAK Desks for the Service Hub”.
Keith Langford, Spaces Specialist at The UC San Diego Geisel Library
“We have received an extremely positive response from our patrons, and our reference staff really enjoy the flexibility to adjust the height of the desk to their own and the patrons needs. As one patron said – ‘you are no longer hiding behind that huge desk’. Having the two desks that easily accommodate standing and sitting allows our staff to set the level at where they are comfortable — we are evenly split between those who like to sit and those who like to stand.”
Martha Hansen, Assistant Director / Head of Adult Services at Woodstock Public Library
Written by Paul White, Director of Design – Yakety Yak Furniture
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