School #18 - Background History and Current Conditions

• Originally erected in 1914 as a one-story building with additional floors in 1916 and 1918
• Exceedingly small rooms
• One electrical outlet in most classrooms
• No handicapped accessibility
• Student bathrooms only in basement

• Materials
• 5,586 Books
• 21 Magazine Subscriptions

• Collection
• 9,000 to 18,000 (20-40 per student (Erikson & Markuson, 2001)

OR

• 9,000 to 13,500 (20-30 per student (New York State Dept. of Education Rubric, 2002)


• Computers, Software and Accessories
• Fiber Optic Infrastructure
• Telephones (2) - Accessible to Computer Workstations
• Automated Library System
• OnlinePublic Access Catalog (OPAC)
• Catalog Terminals for Student Use (2)
• Circulation Computer Workstation including Printer
• Library Media Specialist Computer Workstation including Printer and Scanner
• CD Burner Drive
• 15 Computer Workstations, LAN Access
• High Speed Printer


• Equipment
• Digital Cameras (2)
• Digital Video Camera
• Video Projectors (2)
• Televisions with DVD/VCR players (2)
• 60" Large Screen Monitor


• Furniture
• Book Stacks
• Circulation Desk
• Tables and Chairs
• Easy Chairs
• Cabinets for files and materials
• Computer Tables/Chairs

• Circulation Desk
• Located near the main entrance
• All entrances are visible
• All areas in the center should be visible


• General Reading Area
• Minimal noise so it does not distract those that are reading
• Visible from the circulation desk, yet apart from "louder" functional areas
• Offers tables and chairs, beanbags or comfortable seating, along with some floor space
• Well lit and inviting


• Circulating and Non-Circulating Collections
• Separate collections located throughout the facility
• Easy collection (easy readers, easy non-fiction, easy magazines) should be separate from (yet available to) the juvenile section
• Juvenile materials (fiction, non-fiction, magazines) should be available to the students at a younger age
• Fiction
• Non-fiction
• Reference
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Teacher resources
• Audio resources
• Freestanding, double-sided, stacks with two outlets (no dead ends)
• Space between the stacks should meet ADA requirements of 36" wide


• Storytelling Area
  • Separate area
  • Close proximity to easy book collection
  • Layout that allows comfortable sitting and viewing during storytelling


• Group Instruction Area and Work Area

  The multi-functional space that provides for:

  • Group instruction by library media specialist or classroom teacher
  • Independent student work
  • Multi-media presentations and individual computer work
  • Partitioning of the area to minimize disruption


• Equipment Room

  This location would provide storage of audio-visual equipment and materials used by the media center and for loan to classrooms. This would include:

  • Digital cameras
  • Video cameras
  • Televisions
  • VCR/DVD Players
  • Videos/DVD’s
  • Digital Video Projectors
  • Audio Recorder/Players
  • Headsets


• Collaboration Room

  This room would provide a space for:

  • Faculty meetings for planning, review and collaboration
  • Small group or individual instruction
  • Storage of previous issued periodicals


• Computer Lab

  A separate but adjoining room that would house 30 desktops plus a instructor’s computer and large screen monitor. This room would include wall windows to allow visibility from the media center. It would be used to accommodate whole-class instruction or work pertaining to:

  • Computer literacy skills
  • Online research
  • Report writing
  • Computer Assisted Tutorials

• Signage

  An important element that makes it easier for the users to find what they need. (Erikson & Markuson, 2001). This should include:

  • Functional area locations (e.g. circulation, audio-visual equipment/materials)
  • Collections:
  • Easy Fiction
  • Fiction
  • Biographies
  • Reference
  • Non Fiction (including range finders)
  • Professional


• Furniture

  Shelves

  • Sturdy
  • Purchased from library manufacturer
  • Adjustable heights
  • Integral backs
  • Light colors, durable finish
  • Book supports - back trough
  • Ease of assembly, leveling and disassembly
  • Meet any local codes

  Circulation desk

  • Purchased from a manufacturer
  • Size varies per number of people and terminals
  • If used for working - 29" height
  • If used for computer workstation - 30 " depth
  • One section wheelchair accessible - 36" high, 36" deep

Tables

The most flexible types of tables for this setting should be small and square versus rectangular. This allows for variable grouping contingent on activities conducted.
The recommended heights are:

• Kindergarten – Grade 1 20”-22”
• Grades 2-4 24”-26”
• Grades 5-12 27”-29”
• Wheelchair Accessiblity 26”-29”

Given the range of kindergarten-grade 5 levels that will be using the media center, it is recommended that a mid-range of 24”-26” be used for table height in order to accommodate the overall student population.

Computer Tables

• Deep enough to hold a computer monitor, 36" - 40"
• Wide enough to hold a keyboard/mouse pad and allowance for note-taking
• Recommended heights:
• Computer workstation 26”-29”
• Keyboard 26.5”


• Chairs

Recommended Heights:

• Kindergarten – Grade 1 14”
• Grades 2-4 14”-16”
• Grades 5-6 16-18”

Given the range of kindergarten-grade 5 levels that will be using the media center, it is recommended that a mid-range of 14”-16” be used for chair height in order to accommodate the overall student population.

Other considerations pertaining to chair selection:

• Complement the tables in both style and color
• Do not include chair arms
• Upholstered for comfort
• Sled-base versus four separate legs
• Lounge chairs should include space between seat and back and be heavy-weighted
• Task chairs (used with computer workstations) should have depth of 15”-17” and a width of 18.5” minimum


• Color Scheme

  Colors should be chosen based on the function of a given area; therefore, it is recommended that a variety of complementary soft colors be used. (Erikson & Markuson, 2001)



• Acoustical Requirements
• The library is intended to support a great deal of movement while maintaining atmosphere conducive to quiet study and reflection. (Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction)
• It is important to place zones with comparable noise levels adjacent to one and other.
• To help absorb sound by using:
  Carpeting
  Textured wall treatment or acoustical panels
  Acoustical ceiling tiles and sound baffles is needed
(Erikson and Markuson, 2001)


• Lighting
• Indirect, natural light – use as much as possible
• Avoid direct sunlight – unpredictable and not easily controllable
• Control glare and reflection by use of diffusers, louvers and light location
• Best artificial light – full spectrum fluorescent


• Security
• A design should be made that allows maximum surveillance:
• Windows versus solid walls with interior rooms in library
• Minimize number of entrances and exits
• Wide aisles in stacks and appropriate circulation patterns
• Electronic anti-theft security system for collection
(Prager, 2001)