Library Furniture

Today's libraries are complicated things. In addition to all the traditional library furniture, any library – no matter how large or small – has to meet the needs of the digital age. So the list of library "must haves" is considerably longer than it was in the days of card catalogs and the Dewey decimal system (I think I've totally dated myself with that one).

One library furniture item that hasn't changed is the obvious one – bookcases. No matter how computerized things have become, books are not (yet) obsolete and libraries still need lots of space for them. Double-faced library bookcases are one great way to pack a lot of books into less space. If these are too pricey, then single-faced units can be assembled back-to-back for the same effect. Special literature racks and periodical displays keep magazines and soft-cover books intact and easy to find.

Probably the most ubiquitous library furniture item is the circulation desk. These can be super-simple or highly elaborate, from one computer station with a small desk to a sprawling, circular setup. The important thing is that it should be functional, and that it should be large enough to accommodate however many librarians you have. Oh, and don't forget to have at least one book return. Those can be hard to manage without.

Once the books are squared away, people need a place to sit and actually read them. That's where library chairs and tables come in. While the classic wood library chair never goes out of style, upholstered chairs can add comfort as well as a touch of color. Library tables come in a huge range of shapes, colors, sizes and configurations. Mixing and matching between tables and chairs not only adds depth and texture to your library, it also ensures that you get the most out of your floor plan.

Does your library have a small children's section? If the answer is yes, then you can really have a lot of fun with children's library furniture. This includes big book displays, reading terraces, bean bags, and a whole array of small tables and chairs. Let your imagination go with this; the kids who visit will be more likely to feel good about reading if their library is a fun place to be. Keep it bright and cheerful. Manufacturers like Children's Factory, Wood Designs, Brand New World and Gressco offer a whole range of options that will enhance your school library. Into color-coordination? Check out the Educational Edge line of matching bookcases, tables and chairs.

No school or public library can compete today if they're not optimized for computer use. At the very least, you'll need enough computer access stations for your patrons to be able to look up the books they need without waiting forever on line. Multiple computer carrels enable students and researchers to sit for prolonged periods of time for study and Internet research. At Hertz Furniture, we offer a large selection of library computer solutions, from the standard to the fully customized.

Once you've taken care of all the items your library can't do without, you can look at those that, while not mandatory, do make library life easier and more convenient. Book carts let you transport books easily from the circulation desk to wherever they belong. Some of them are so attractive, they actually add to your library's décor. Newspaper racks and pamphlet holders let you take advantage of open areas and wall space. And, last but not least, don't forget step-stools so that patrons can access high-shelves without making a special request. For stools that visitors will literally get a kick out of, check out the Kik-Stool series.

Hertz Furniture's professional Design Center and financing experts enable us to be there for you every step of the way, from planning your library all the way through to the finishing touches. Whether you're furnishing a new library, renovating an old one or just looking to upgrade, we at Hertz Furniture are committed to making sure that you get exactly what you need, at a price you'll be happy with.

The reception seating experts offer an unbelievable selection of lounge chairs and reception chairs. No matter what size waiting room you have, you can easily find some appropriate reception seating from Lesro. Models are available with and without arms. They can be ordered as individual units or as long rows of attached seats. A selection of fabrics enables you to coordinate lobby chairs with any decor or color scheme for a well-matched professional space.

Reception area furniture is about more than just seating. When visitors come in to your business or institution on a cold or rainy day, they will also need a place to hang their coats. The waiting room is the ideal space for a coat rack because visitors can easily pick up their outerwear as they exit your workspace and won't have to carry around jackets as they hunt for an appropriate place to put them. Lesro coat racks come in both freestanding and wall-mounted models. While free-standing units have a classic old world charm, wall-mounted hooks leave more open floor space.

The versatile design of Lesro chairs makes them a perfect fit for virtually any part of a work space. Swivel office chairs can be used by professionals as they sit at their desks throughout the workday. If you need a temporary solution for seminars or multi-purpose areas, some guest chair models are also stacking chairs, so they can easily be put into storage or transported from place to place.

Great guest chairs will also fit well in a library around some wooden study tables. If you are tired of the same old school library furniture, and are looking for a way to update your space, new library chairs can get the job done. Let students and employees take advantage of comfortable padding and liven up your space with a uniform upholstery hue or some vibrant complementary colors.

In addition to experiencing the reception area, many clients, colleagues and potential donors will spend significant amounts of time in a company's conference room. When negotiating a company merger or long-term contract, you want to make sure that this critical venue has a comfortable yet professional atmosphere. Some attractive and cozy guest seating will keep all meeting attendees properly supported so they can focus on the discussions that are taking place. Appropriate seating will demonstrate the competence and financial stability of your company or institution.

High- and low-back swivel office chairs are also a viable option for conference room seating. They will help meeting attendees find a more comfortable position, as their design promotes flexibility and movement. Casters make office chairs easy to arrange and move around when setting up your space.

Whatever the size of your conference room is, you need a conference table so everyone can lay out notes and important documents. Conference tables come in a number of shapes including racetrack, octagon, boat and oval. Solid wood tables are super sleek and sturdy. They create a serious atmosphere that is conducive to tough negotiations and discussions of critical decisions.

Demonstrate the professional competence and aesthetic sense of your company or institution with reception furniture, conference tables and library furniture from Lesro. The simple elegance of each model can fit a company of any style or size. If you need help narrowing down the choices or choosing the perfect upholstery colors, contact the Hertz Design Center for free project-planning advice.