Hygge at the Library

Promoting wellness and self care through the Danish concept of Hygge

As we live busier and more complicated lives, themes of wellness, mindfulness, thankfulness, and happiness have become predominant in our culture. The rise of Scandinavian design, has influenced not only the architecture and interior design of the spaces people occupy but consequently also the way people interact with that space. One such word that has come to the forefront of living well by Scandinavian standards, is Hygge. Hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) is a Danish word used to acknowledge a moment of coziness and comfort either among friends and family or on one's own. It's also about being in the moment and making time for self care.

Hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) is a Danish word used to acknowledge a moment of coziness and comfort either among friends and family or on one's own. It's also about being in the moment and making time for self care.

Hygge, much like cozy, can be anything that makes a person feel good. It can be reading a favorite book with a hot cup of tea and a blanket on a rainy day, but it can also be the peace one feels in nature, or the sense of belonging one has when sharing a meal or a conversation with loved ones. For many, the library is also a place of hygge.

As a beloved place that is neither work nor home, libraries hold the position of a third space in our culture. They are places of community, enrichment, service, and culture, where people come to feel safe and connected to people and resources. Libraries are therefore perfect spaces in which to celebrate the notion of hygge.

Creating a Successful Hygge Program

One of the benefits of generating a program themed around the concept of hygge, is that it can be a passive program in which you simply set up all the stations and materials, and let attendees move through the space as it suits them. I, however, always like to have an active component to any event. I find that pairing activity with passivity creates a more dynamic event that is both easier to market, and more memorable to attendees than passive-only programs.

For the passive part of my hygge event, I made a list of both trendy and steadfast methods of relaxing. For instance, adult coloring is big right now, but reading by the fireside is a mainstay form of coziness. For those libraries who do not have a fireplace, consider projecting one as I will do. YouTube has a 10 hour video of a fireplace crackling away. Position some chairs and favorite books and magazines near the projected fireplace, and even though the fire is not real, attendees will still delight in sitting next to it and reading. To encourage an active approach to wellness and self care, I'm also offering 20 minute meditation sessions.

Expanding Hygge

By creating a space in the library where people can come to learn methods of relaxation, mindfulness, and self care, a hygge program helps patrons think of the library in those terms. The library can capitalize on this by creating a series around hygge and similar concepts: bring in an empowerment speaker or a series of classes on decluttering your space and life, or offer active weekly classes for yoga or meditation or art therapy. Whatever you decide, remember that hygge can be more than a one-off program, and can also be incorporated into how your patrons experience the library.

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