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

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Published 2017-06-23

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.

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All Comments (21)

@44043495 6 years ago

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.
@edgarortiz1366 6 years ago

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.
@nadhervina 6 years ago

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♡
@Ahrysa 7 months ago

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 1 year ago

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 !...
@cassielewis7864 4 years ago

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 <3
@jamesmedalla7043 1 year ago

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!
@benjaminsmith5862 6 years ago

The way he speaks makes me feel breathless.
@MrJacobPhoenix 6 years ago

But when will Ted actually talk?
@brendarua01 6 years ago

What a wonderful story! Thank you, TED, for sharing.
@darkmist977 6 years ago

No just call it a MMORPG and they will read crazy endless walls of text
@DuluthTW 6 years ago

I love the green library. This was a great topic. Thanks for sharing!
@Silverspecks 6 years ago

I thought this was going to be about a method of organizing books that's easier to navigate than the Dewey Decimal System.
@apeshitclothing 6 years ago

Reading is fundamental
@justmashpodcastnetwork3512 6 years ago

My friend and I talked about the TED and YouTube combo on our podcast, the two platforms have helped educate people in ways that never would have been possible beforehand
@MegOkuraJazz 6 years ago

BEAUT!FUL
@rajarsheegupta591 3 years ago

Most significant. Feeling hopeful about young learners after listening to this talk.
@44043495 6 years ago

I believe that you can learn anything if you make it playful.
@laksamee4637 5 years ago

thanks!!! this makes me feeling better every day
@renishghetiya901 7 months ago

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