Family History Centers are found in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from the very large to the very small. Don’t let perceived space restrictions make decisions for you about what you can do in your center. In other words, don’t limit your plans because you feel your space is too small. Do look at your space with new eyes and an open mind. Here are some ideas to help you see your space through new lenses.
First, remember that you can stretch beyond the physical walls of your center. Under the direction of and coordination with your priesthood leaders determine how to use other rooms in your building when they are not in use for other ward and stake functions. One director uses the Primary room evenings and Saturdays for training classes. Another director uses an adjoining classroom which becomes a computer lab when members bring their laptops and tablets to the center. A group of classrooms can open up for a children’s play area. Moms with little ones can have a Mom and Tot’s experience with a play area and a computer on a cart or with their own tablet or laptop. Carts and totes keep items contained and portable. For big events use the cultural hall. When you think beyond the four walls of your family history center you can temporarily expand for special use of space in your building. Just remember to coordinate and to share well with other ward and stake programs and to always get clearance from your priesthood leaders.
Second, free up a desk or table where people can gather and work on projects. What kind of projects? Use the table to help patrons organize their photo collections they are bringing to scan and upload to Family Tree. Let a family of children sit around the table and tell stories about their family while they color. Children’s color pages are found under Resources on LDS.org. One center has children sit at their table and build a temple with Legos. Pictures are taken of the temple creations and then posted on the bulletin board. Open work space invites creativity!
Third, keep only the most necessary signage. One discreet sign stating policies should be enough. Save your walls for a beautiful picture of the temple or a discovery display. See a director who used her uncle’s WW II uniform for an engaging and informative discovery wall display on the video Working with Youth and Young Adults on www.lds.org/fhcdirector. Have FHC staff help freshen and rotate displays on a regular schedule. Clean walls will help you see new possibilities for creative and appealing discovery presentations for youth and families.
Last, what can you discard and clean up? Pages 33-38 gives clear instructions on suggested inventories of equipment and supplies. Sometimes these items seem like old friends. But by clearing out and consolidating collections and equipment you will find more physical space to invite youth and families into your center. You may also find that a great benefit to cleaning out your external space is a boost to your internal space. Most people feel more settled and get an emotional boost from a neat, newly-energized environment. Grab that new lense to give these items a hard look and discard where needed!
Take a critical look at your center. Work with your priesthood leaders to maximize the use of building space when it is not scheduled for other ward and stake functions. Clean up. Discard what you can. Free up a workspace and limit your signage. Use your walls for a discovery display. Use your new “discovery lenses” to see how your family history center can be a wonderful place of discovery.
