Grand Forks Library Adds Soundproof Booths to Maximize Study Space

Located in the heart of British Columbia, Grand Forks & District Public Library is committed to providing accessible spaces for learning, collaboration, and community connection. With space at a premium, the library faced an ongoing challenge: their four-person study room was constantly booked, yet often occupied by a single user. This left groups without an available space and limited the library’s ability to fully serve its patrons.

Cari Lynn Gawletz, Library Director, set out to find a cost-effective solution that could expand the library’s quiet space offerings—without requiring major renovations or additional square footage.

The Need for Change

The existing group study room was highly popular, but single users were frequently occupying it—restricting availability for larger groups. The library needed a way to rebalance access to quiet spaces.

Cari and her team looked for a solution that was:

Designed for One: A dedicated private space to free up the larger study room.
Compact: Something that could fit within limited floor space.
Affordable: Delivering the benefits of an extra room without construction costs.

Introducing the Tuesday Booth

Grand Forks & District Public Library selected the Bureau Tuesday booth, a one-person soundproof booth that solved their problem in an elegant and practical way.

What made it the right choice:

Space-Saving Design: Despite its small footprint, it offers surprising comfort inside.
Cost-Conscious: Achieved the goal of adding capacity without building new rooms.
Welcoming & Comfortable: Patrons quickly discovered it wasn’t claustrophobic at all—it felt inviting.

How It’s Being Used

After a few days of curiosity, the booth gained momentum and is now almost always occupied. Some of the most common uses include:

Supervised exams

Job interviews and virtual meetings
Quiet study sessions
Children seeking a calm space

The Tuesday booth has quickly become a versatile asset for patrons of all ages.

Cari Lynn Gawletz, Library Director, shares her feedback:

“I would absolutely recommend Bureau. The staff have all been excellent to work with, the booth itself was one of the more affordable options, and it looks great in our space. I know that several other libraries in BC have also installed these and everyone is thrilled with them.”

The Impact

By adding a Bureau booth, Grand Forks & District Public Library has been able to maximize its existing footprint, expand access to quiet spaces, and better meet the needs of both individuals and groups. The booth has proven to be a simple, affordable, and effective way to make the library even more useful for the community it serves.