School Library Media CenterFacilities Design

Champion Middle SchoolLearning Commons

Samples of Programs

Most of our samples meet all of the MSDE Standard 6.0. in that they are well-designed and conveniently located. They are barrier-free, providing library media services that promote and support student learning.

 

Chestnut Ridge Middle School , Fishertown, PA

Orange Middle School Library, Lewis Center, OH.

The Riley Elementary School’s Library Media Center, Salt Lake City, UT.

Floor Plan

EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Circulation and Display AreaWelcomes visitors with displays:

◦Wall-mounted TV (electronic Bulletin Board)

◦Traditional Bulletin Board◦Display Case◦“Hot and Fresh” book display

Circulation Desk◦Accessible◦Centrally located

Main Use (Reading, Listening, Viewing) AreaHouses the collection of approximately

15,000 items on approximately 1,500 linear feet of shelf space

Three computers dedicated to catalog access

Consists of three main areas:◦ Study and Research◦ Informal Reading◦ Production and Group Projects

Study and Research

Six tablesFour study carrelsPrint reference resources12 computers providing access to

digital resources

Informal Reading

To encourage literacy, lifelong reading, and reading for pleasure

Graphic Novels, periodicals, fiction, and nonfiction

Informal seatingNatural lighting

Production & Group Project Production

Fully equipped TV Studio for recording performances or live broadcasts within the school

Control Room allows management and editing of productions

Group Project

Clusters of tables for small groupsStudy and Research and Instruction Areas, when

available, can accommodate larger groups

Instruction Area

For small or large group instructionEight tablesTeacher’s deskInteractive LCD projector and

whiteboardTwelve student computers

Administrative Area

Librarian’s Office◦ Administrative duties

Workroom◦ Collaboration◦ Work Center◦ Professional Library◦ Collection & Equipment management

Server Room◦ School’s computer network, wireless

internet◦ Video distribution◦ Storage of laptops and other equipment

FurnitureShelvingWood constructionFreestanding - 36”

in height Wall shelving - 60” 36” wide for

flexibility Adjustable shelves

Tables and ChairsWood constructionTables are ADA-

compliant 32” heightUpholstered informal

seating

Shelves and upholstered chair from www.demco.com.

Tables and chairs from www.shopbrodart.com.

Style and sound control

Commercial carpet tiles

Acoustic wall panels

http://www.tectum.com/project_photos_intwalls.html

http://www.shawcontractgroup.com/Html/ShowProjectProfile/PP_UML_Learning_Commons

Accommodations for Special Learners

Zoom TextKurzweilSmartView Xtend JAWS for Windows

Meets or exceeds all applicable requirements of the Project Enable ADA Library Accessibility Checklist

http://www.collette-optical.com/asmartview.php

SIGNAGE ANDDISPLAY

Signage and displaysThe library will use three the following

different types of signage: ◦ Primary signage: larger and key signs

identifying major areas of the library;

◦ Secondary signage: medium signs identifying more specific parts of the library;

◦ Tertiary signage: smaller signs will be used to identify storage rooms, staff offices and legally required signage;

Reading visibility and sizeMinimum lower case letter height for primary

and secondary signage with viewing distance of 75 feet = 3”

Minimum lower case character for secondary and tertiary signage with viewing distance of less than 50 feet = 2”

Signs should be readable while moving

Two primary signs and a few secondary signs will be suspended

Suspended signs will be used to mark different collection area and reading area

Minimum letter size of 3”

Signage Suspension height

Color, Font, and Vocabulary Mixed case signage with strong color

contrast and non-reflective surfaces

Two color texts will be used for signage: ◦ one dark color text with light background ◦ one light color text with dark background.

Primary colors that are visible to color-blind

Arial and comic sans seriffonts will be used

Common English terms used in everyday languagewill be used for signage

Way findingMap of Library

◦Primary sign at entrance◦Tertiary sign on 8” X 11”

paperHours – Secondary signLocation of computersLocation of copier

DisplayColorful displays will be used throughout the

libraryA display area of 3’ X 3’ will be provided

near the glass window facing the hallway.A display area of 3’ X 5’ will be set up in the

group activity area. The display will be provided by students and teachers and it will change monthly.

schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.com

Signage for Visually Impaired:

Raised letters and accompanying braille messages will be used on all wall-mounted signs

Three copies of pre-recorded audio instructions providing step by step directions and guidance will beavailable at the circulation desk

Raised audio sign will be posted on primary and secondary signage that are available in audio

Signage for Visually Impaired

Use tape markings on clear glass doors and windows

Use the raised corduroy profile mat to mark beginning of different areas in library and to mark doorways.

Outcomes and ResponsibilitiesLearning Spaces Measurable Outcomes Responsibilities of

Librarian

Study and Research Area 

• Information/circulation desk well marked

•  Bulletin board display of research and study tips

•  Informal monitoring of use of area

•  Circulation statistics monitored monthly

Librarian will:• assure

information/circulation desk is arranged in clear, inviting way.

• create informational bulletin board displays.

• visit area to assure users have what they need.

 Informal Reading Area 

• Reading promotion display changed monthly

•  Circulation statistics monitored monthly

•  Informal monitoring of student use of informal reading area

Librarian will:• change displays of

books and periodicals, to promote reading for pleasure.

• visit area to offer readers advisory.

Instructional Area 

• Maintenance of log with data on class visits and use of library technology and research resources (databases, e-reference, and print)

Librarian will:• keep log of class visits

and use of resources.•  maintain schedule for

area, to facilitate teacher sign-up.

Outcomes and ResponsibilitiesLearning Spaces Measurable Outcomes Responsibilities of

LibrarianProduction and Group Project Area 

• Maintenance of log with data on use of production and group project area

Librarian will:• keep log of the use of

production and group project area.

• keep area organized and functional.

Administrative Area • Circulation desk well marked with necessary information about hours, check out/in procedures

•  Bulletin board display of professional development opportunities

•  Maintenance of log of collaborative planning meetings and teacher assistance

Librarian will:• assure that desk is

arranged in a clear, inviting way.

•  create bulletin board displays about PD opportunities.

• maintain schedule for collaborative planning area, to facilitate teacher sign-up.

• participate in collaborations, offer support and resources.

•  keep processing and storage areas organized and functional.

Outcomes and ResponsibilitiesDesigning a new library is a chance for the librarian to show leadership:Keep in mind mission and visionListen to constituenciesCollaborate with administration and

architectsDesign to insure function of five areasPlan according to UDL principles

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Lighting Compact fluorescent light fixtures built in the ceiling

Three large windows will be used for daylight and sunlight

Soft-white lamp fixtures will be used for extra lighting in the work area and circulation desk area

Adjustable lighting panels in AV, computer and closed work areas

Heating and VentilationMaintain temperature range of 72 – 76 F

degreesMaintain humidity level of 30% to 60%Use school’s built in HVAC systemUse a humidification system that will be

integrated with building’s control systemUse non-inflammable heaters in large areasUse ceiling fans in computer area and reading

area for cold air circulation and ventilation Install individually controlled temperature

settings in closed workspacesUse ridge vent in the ceiling for ventilationInstall exhaust vents using HVAC system

Power requirementsProvide electrical power outlet at 8’ interval throughout

the library walls at 2’ height

◦ Use regular duplex receptacle near shelves

◦ Use regular quadruplex receptacle on walls that are not lined with shelves

Provide 2 data outlets, 2 Ethernet ports, 1duplex power receptacle at 6’ interval throughfloor in reading area and group instruction area

Use clean power outlet connectors in circulation desk area

Provide ports for copier, fax and printers as designed Provide Ethernet, data, and clean duplex power outlet for

each computer

AcousticsAcoustic panels will be used to absorb

sound:4” thick, ATS tested fire-resistant, NRC rating of 0.5 (absorbs 50% of sound

reverberation)

NRC = Noise Reduction CoefficientPanels will be installed in instruction area,

reading area, and computer area

Specialized floorsUse semi-open cell acoustic foam and

acoustic barrier mass on top of the foam to reduce the sound of footsteps and sound vibrations

Specialized floors (Contd.)Use dart solid color to mark the pathways  Use light colored patterned or solid carpet to

mark different areas on either side of the pathways Plymouth Library Center

Plymouth Library Center

Alexander Design Studio. (2005). Southeast Middle School Library. Retrieved from

http://www.brokenboxes.com/projects/southeast-middle-school-library

Baltimore County Public Schools. (n.d.) Library media center: I. Educational requirements. The library office: Online procedures manual. Retrieved from http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/libraryfacilitieselem.pdf

Beneicke, A. (2003). Wayfinding and signage in library design. Retrieved from http://librisdesign.org/docs/WayfindingSignage.pdf.

Bonanno, K. (2012). School libraries supporting 21C learning. School libraries, technology creativity: A different learning experience. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymanagement.com

Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association. (2010). Acoustics in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.cisca.org/files/public/Acoustics%20in%20Schools_CISCA.pdf

Church, J. (n.d.) DeWitt Middle School Library. Retrieved from http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/dewitt/library/Web%20page/about.htm

City Colleges of Chicago. (2013). Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.ccc.edu/departments/Pages/Library-System.aspx

DesignShare. (2006, November 2). Imagining the future of the school library. DesignShare: Imagining the future of learning. Retrieved from http://www.designshare.com/index.php/articles/school-library-future

Eckles Architecture Engineering. (2013). Part 1: The evolution of the school library. Retrieved from http://www.ecklesgroup.com/library-design-for-early-education-part-1/

Floorplanner [Web based software]. (2012). Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Floorplanner. Retrieved from http://www.floorplanner.com/

Garofalo, M. P. (2012). Maywood Middle School Library. Retrieved from http://www.corningelementary.org/old/library/maywood1.htm

Hendrix, J. C. (2010). Checking out the future: Perspectives from the library community on information technology and 21-st Century libraries. Washington, DC:American Library Association, Office for Information Technology Policy. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org

References

Kuon, T.& Weimar, H. (2012, September). How does your boss see you? School Library Journal, 58(9), 36-39. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/

Loertscher, D. & Koechlin, C. (2012, May 7). Learning commons bootcamp. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/calgarylc2012/home

Martin, A., Westmoreland. D. D. & Branyon, A. (2011, June). New design considerations that transform the library into an indispensable learning environment. Teacher Librarian, 38(5). Retrieved from http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/

Maryland State Department of Education. (1998). Facilities guidelines for library media programs. Retrieved from http://www.marylandpublicschools.org

Maryland State Department of Education. (2000). Standards for school library media programs in Maryland. Retrieved from http://marylandpublicschools.org

National Institute of Building Sciences. (2011, November). Provide comfortable environments. Whole building design guide. Retrieved from http://wbdg.org/design/school_library.php

Riley Elementary School. (2012, November). Riley Elementary School: Library. Retrieved from http://riley.slcschools.org/pages/library/

San Jose Public Library. (2009). Signage design guidelines. Retrieved from http://olis.ri.gov/services/ce/index.php

Shaw Contract Group [Carpet distributer]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.shawcontractgroup.com

Silwani, K. (2011). Orange Middle School Library. Retrieved from

http://ooms.olentangy.k12.oh.us/teachers/kelly_silwani/

Simpson, C. (n.d.) Plano West (TX) High School Library. Retrieved from

http://www.carolsimpson.com/facilities/planowestHS.htm

Syracuse University. (n.d.) Project enable: Expanding nondiscriminatory access by librarians everywhere. Retrieved from http://projectenable.syr.edu/

Tectum [Acoustic panel distributer]. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.tectum.com/

Walker, J. (n.d.) South Cheatham Public Library. Retrieved from http://southcheathamlibrary.com/index.html

References (cont.)