"Quiet Library: a space for reboot"
During war, people's need for psychological comfort and quality leisure grows. Branch Library № 2 of Nizhyn CLS conducts events of various formats and is an important center of cultural resilience. However, it faces two key problems:
- lack of modern Ukrainian literature, in Ukrainian language and relevant for readers of different ages.
- absence of a comfortable inclusive zone, necessary for visitors with autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or people who have anxiety states, increased sensory sensitivity, and also for those who seek silence and privacy.
Therefore our idea is to create a comfortable inclusive space for reading and relaxation "Quiet Library", which combines access to modern Ukrainian literature with a comfortable, specially equipped room for quiet and sensory-safe stay.
Actually, the idea of creating the space "Quiet Library: a reboot space" emerged from a real story that showed how important a quiet and sensory-comfortable space in the library is.
In 2023, a student from Nizhyn Professional College of Culture and Arts did her internship at Branch Library №2 of Nizhyn CLS, studying "Information, Library and Archive Affairs". The girl has moderate cerebral palsy and experiences anxiety states. She chose this library because it has a ramp, making the space physically accessible.
However, during the internship it became clear that physical accessibility doesn't always mean comfortable stay. The library is an active cultural center: meetings, events, group activities regularly take place here. For most visitors this vibrant cultural life is an important part of the library space, but for the student noise and crowds created additional tension. Internship tasks required concentration - processing information, preparing bibliographic descriptions, working with texts. Due to constant noise it was difficult for her to work, so she looked for quiet places between shelves in the collection to be able to complete her tasks.
This story showed an important need: the library lacks a quiet, sensory safe space, where people who have increased sensitivity to noise, anxiety states, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or simply need calm, could comfortably read, learn or recover.
That's why the idea emerged to create a "Quiet Library" — an inclusive space for reading and relaxation, where modern Ukrainian literature will combine with thoughtful design, soft lighting, comfortable furniture and an atmosphere of calm. This will be a place where every visitor, regardless of their characteristics, can find silence, concentration and inner balance.
Such a space will complement the library's life and make it truly inclusive - not only physically accessible, but also comfortable for different people's needs. The project will:
- renovate and furnish the "Quiet Library" room with furniture and equipment;
- purchase modern Ukrainian literature;
- train staff through specialized workshops on working with people with disabilities;
- attract about 150 new users;
- increase social cohesion of participants and improve their mental health
