On 10/23/07 I started my first round of library visits at the Sylvester Memorial Wellston Public Library(SMWPL) in Wellston OH.  Boy did director Jackie Shaw have a lot to share!  Her library had just completed the first phase of implementing the “Trading Spaces” philosophy which  was promoted by the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative  at a workshop earlier this year.  The trading spaces philosophy employs visual merchandising techniques (like book stores do!)  Changes could be simply adding slat boards and gondolas to display books, or be more involved by adding new environments, catered to specific populations such as children, teens, seniors, etc.  SMWPL made a lot of changes, including making the community room a new space for young children, moving furniture and adding special shelving to make the library feel more spacious, adding gondolas for new material and facing library materials forward on the shelves to capture attention.  Additionally, early reader books that were award winners, or holiday-themed were pulled out to make a special collection that lines the hallway to the new kiddie area.  It looks wonderful!  Stop by for a visit!