How to Redesign a Public Library: Tanya Finney Estrada Shares Her Blueprint with SC&I Students 

Tanya Finney Estrada, director of the recently redesigned and rebuilt Pennsauken Free Public Library, in Pennsauken, New Jersey, knows how to transform visionary ideas for a modern library into reality—one steel beam and glass window at a time.

Estrada, recently named the winner of the 2026 Librarian of the Year Award by the New Jersey Library Association, shared the knowledge and experiences she gained overseeing the library's transformation with Master of Information students during Professor of Library and Information Denise Agosto's class Public Librarianship (17:610:597).

A key theme of the class is understanding the importance of gathering input from all members of the library community — including staff, patrons, board members, and Friends of the Library groups — regarding how library spaces are currently used and how they may be used in the future. It also focuses on recognizing that library spaces are multifaceted, and that different communities and cultures utilize these spaces in different ways.

"I knew that Tanya had worked hard from the very beginning of the new library building planning process to include members of the community as well as key stakeholders in decision-making, and I knew that these efforts had paid off," Agosto said. "The new library is inclusive, welcoming, and responsive to community needs."

Transforming a Library

During her talk, titled "Seven Approaches to Library Design: The Future of the Pennsauken Free Public Library — Enhancing Our Community with New Construction and Opportunities," Estrada said the library, having been built in 1971, during a postwar era that prioritized durability over flexibility, struggled to meet the demands of modern library patrons due to limited electrical capacity, insufficient community space, and outdated infrastructure.

Rather than superficially patching up existing issues, the Pennsauken Free Public Library Board—working alongside Pennsauken Township and library leadership, including Director Estrada—pursued a much larger vision by securing funding through the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act. “We were pleased to be among the first 38 libraries selected in the initial round of funding,” Estrada said.

Estrada worked closely with library and township leadership, and the project architect throughout the grant application, planning, and design process to develop a library that met the needs of our community.

The library secured $9.3 million in funding, allowing for a full-scale expansion from 20,000 to nearly 38,000 square feet. Completed between 2020 and 2025, the project included construction of a new building, demolition of outdated structures, and the addition of outdoor and parking spaces. But as Estrada emphasized, the effort was never just about construction—it was about building a library intentionally designed to meet the evolving needs of the community.

Applying the "Seven Approaches Framework"

To reimagine the library, Estrada told the students, she applied her “seven approaches” framework to the blueprint. She focused on collection, staff, services, technology, spaces, safety, and community—and this plan served as a guide for designing a library that would truly function for its users. Importantly, she stressed that the plan was never meant to be permanent; they will revisit the seven elements continuously over time as needs of the library and its patrons evolve.

At the core of her approach, Estrada said, is a deep understanding of how people interact with space. In rethinking collections, for example, she rejected traditional high shelving in favor of accessibility and browsing experience. Expanding from one floor to three floors required reimagining not just storage, but workflow, visibility, and security. Similarly, her focus on staff needs—from wellness spaces to office configurations—highlighted an often-overlooked truth: if a building does not function for its staff, it cannot function for its community.

Smart Tech, Seamless Experience

Estrada’s emphasis on service design further revealed her vision as a user-centered space. Rather than imposing idealized room layouts on the design, she encouraged anticipating real behavior—how people move through spaces, where bottlenecks form, and what makes library services more intuitive. This philosophy extended into technology, where she advocated for convenience and efficiency over complexity, balancing Wi-Fi access, data infrastructure, and self-service tools like checkout kiosks and lockers.

Perhaps most compelling was her vision for library spaces as dynamic, inclusive environments. The new library includes flexible programming areas, quiet study zones, collaborative spaces, and specialized rooms such as lactation and sensory spaces. A 220-person event area hosts weekly programming, including line dancing—an example Estrada used to illustrate a key lesson: “Don’t design for your current programs; design for your growth.”

Libraries are Living Systems

During her presentation at SC&I, Estrada made one thing extremely clear: libraries are no longer just book repositories. They are living systems—spaces for connection, innovation, and growth—and with the right vision, they can transform entire communities.

"Tanya Finney Estrada’s innovation, creativity, initiative, and leadership shines through in ways that will be inspiring for students and practitioners at all ages, stages, and levels," said Chair and Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Rebecca Reynolds. "We dearly thank our speaker for her generosity and detailed sharing in the talk today. We also thank Professor Denise Agosto for bringing this talent to bear for our Master of Information students in this very special guest lecture booking!"

Learn more about the Master of Information at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information.