Designing Schools and Libraries for Efficiency and Safety

Trends in Education Typical school spaces may change. Instructional materials will continue to evolve. Technology will dominate instructional delivery. Technology will be available from multiple access points. Libraries will need more people space and perhaps less collection (bookshelf) space.

Trends in Education “Electronic Village” school activities include –communication among teachers, –communication between teachers and administrators, –communication between school and community members, –communication between teachers and parents, and –collaborative learning among students and community mentors

Characteristics essential to a successful "electronic village" focusing on interactions between people rather than focusing on particular technologies providing applications tailored for each type of user

Characteristics essential to a successful "electronic village" implementing new services on a timely basis, so that community networking becomes a fundamental consideration in the vision and planning of the networking infrastructure providing access to multiple technologies, esp. Web 2.0 (and beyond?)

Design schools and libraries for… Growth and program development Continued and future infusion of technology Flexible use of space Specifically for libraries: Expanded hours Staff changes More users

Focus should be on future learning needs that result from curricular changes, emerging technologies, and new organizational patterns. Form should follow function.

3-D textbook Support all learning styles (students and teachers) Grade range (e.g., K-5, 6-8, K-12) Sharing space for extended grade ranges HVAC –Climate controlled year-round –Zones General Design Considerations

Sharing space with the community Security Accessibility/User-friendly ADA requirements –Entrances/Exits –Tables –Computer workstations

CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies of CPTED Natural Surveillance Territorial Reinforcement Natural Access Control

General Design Considerations Floor Covering –Location –Carpet –Tile Lighting –Task lighting –Windows/Natural light –Outside lighting Acoustics Gallery/Display Space

General Design Considerations Visual Control Physical arrangement –Flexibility of space –More people space –Less collection space –Zones –Conducive to inquiry, study, independent use Infrastructure

3 key factors People –Students –Adults Place –Ambiance –Atmosphere –Lifelong learning ethos Program –Instruction –ICTs –Collection –Literary/cultural events

An Information Resources Center in the 21st Century - is a central resource which supports the total school curriculum and ethos, in which a spirit of inquiry is encouraged to engender lifelong interests and passions - is an integral part of teaching and learning and other activities in the school - is a focus of information/learning skills development throughout the school Source: Tilke, A. (ed.), Library Association guidelines for secondary school libraries, London, 1998

An Information Resources Center in the 21st Century - provides opportunities for the individual to read more widely and think more deeply - is an important resource in the school for leisure and recreational needs - is an essential partner in the development of lifelong learning skills Source: Tilke, A. (ed.), Library Association guidelines for secondary school libraries, London, 1998

Purpose of an LIC To support the implemented curriculum of the school by providing resources that will expand and enhance student learning beyond the textbookTo support the implemented curriculum of the school by providing resources that will expand and enhance student learning beyond the textbook To support the recreational reading needs of all members of the learning communityTo support the recreational reading needs of all members of the learning community To support the information needs of all members of the learning communityTo support the information needs of all members of the learning community To serve as the information resource center for the schoolTo serve as the information resource center for the school

Core Missions of the LIC physical spaceLibrary as physical space information resource centerLibrary as information resource center instructional delivery centerLibrary as instructional delivery center service providerLibrary as service provider

Physical Spaces Technology Areas Instructional Areas Recreational Reading Area Equipment/AV Storage Workroom Offices Professional Room/Conference Room Restroom(s)

Physical Spaces Technology Areas –Kiosks (printing, hot-desks) –Cyber-Center (Cyber Café) –Multimedia production –Studio –Head-in room –Server room –Acoustics –Floor covering –Lighting –Relation to other areas

Physical Spaces Technology Access –Computers (wired, wireless) –LCD projector –Computer lab –Interactive white boards Lighting Floor covering Acoustics Relation to other areas Seating –Minimum of 2 classes –Additional class seating dependent on school size Instructional Areas

General Design Considerations Keep the room as square as possible. Keep circulation desk as square as possible Keep circulation desk near library entrance/exits Shelving finish should be durable for minimum of 30 years Do not use particleboard shelving

General Design Considerations Use clerestory windows as much as possible. Use tinted glass for windows or equip with blinds Use adjustable shelving Use slanted shelving for magazines/periodicals Ensure adequate number of electrical outlets in main room and in workroom.

General Design Considerations Ensure adequate number of data connections Shelving height recommendations Secure storage for high- end equipment (e.g., MP3 players, digital cameras) Plan storage appropriate for materials

General Design Considerations Plan for display areas such as slat panels at end of shelving units, lights on top shelf of bookcases, free- standing display cases. Plan for increased technology access and usage.

General Design Considerations Involve the media center staff in planning new facility Ensure that media center professional staff are involved in all walk-through visits during construction FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION! Sample Floor Plans

Circulation Office Audio Visual Storage Workroom Instruction Nonfiction Computers Reference Fiction Periodicals and soft seating Prof. Room Instruction TV and Production OPAC & Research Conference Rooms

Martha Alewine Consultant, School Library Media Services Office of Instructional Promising Practices 725 Marshall Road Greenwood, SC

Lt. Mark McColman School Resource Officer Program Richland County Sheriff’s Department 5623 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC