Ideas For A New Reading Space. Need Your Expertise!

Today I had the privilege of having lunch with the leader of a very cool, non-profit venue coming to my area called Sodium. If you click that link, you'll get a little bit of an idea of what Sodium is about. It is a project still in the works, but the idea is basically to create a space where people can chill out, meet with friends, mingle, have fun, perhaps even be entertained and fed while they're there too... The vibe will be very cool, but laid back, and also very family oriented. It is designed to have an area for every age group to hang out in and have fun. 

O.K. I'm really not doing Sodium justice here with my explanation, but I hope you're kind of getting the idea. 

So...
How do you incorporate a reading and literacy experience into that space?
What would that look like?
What kind of reading services could be provided?
What kind of reading programs and services would parents want?
And a big question right now is what would be the ideal kind of space for some literacy programs?
How should that room/area be laid out/designed/furnished/decorated?




A few ideas that immediately pop into my head are Literacy Launchpad sessions with youngsters (obviously). Parent education classes (i.e. how to read aloud with your child, promote literacy at home, etc.). Interactive literacy projects that could be displayed throughout the venue. There will be a stage, a couple playground areas, and also video screen throughout Sodium. Perhaps these could be utilized in some literacy related activities?

Photos by KOMUnews

This is such a big opportunity to spread literacy and a love of reading. It's a chance to allow children and families in a community to perhaps see reading and books in a different light... As something truly fun, worth while, entertaining, and not necessarily related to school and work.

What's the best way to make that happen? I would LOVE to hear your ideas. Any and all of them, please!!