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> >These are the suggestions that I received in regards to what works in >'practice'for a remodel or new library project. I will post another HIT as >more come in. Many thanks to those that care. > > Having just gone through this process, I would >warn you. Be as specific as you can be. it seems that the architects have >their own vision in mind and if you do not express exactly what you want.. >and I mean exactly, it will leave a lot of the things up to the archirtect. >For example, I knew I would have to have columns to hide the wiring.. but >those columns ended up being virtual walls. they are 4 feet wide by 6" >thick. I have tried to get the media center opened up and now I have these >four barriers to vision.. mine.. where kids can hide from my view. I >realize that I don't stand behind the circ desk very much, but it is >annoying that these 4 big walls are cutting up the space. Well, that is >my pet peeve at the moment. And I will not have a book return because that >slot he planned is 2 feet from the floor. I will not have my help bending >over to pick up books out of a bin. We are going through a lot of smells >and dust also.. that comes with it.. some of it very nasty. Good lick, >just be prepared to fight for what you want. > >This is my third year as the K-12 LMS. Our elementary was new my first year >and unfortunately, I didn't get to be in on any of the planning. :( I would >say the biggest thing I wish I had were more storage space. I need a closet >for the sole purpose of storing AV equipment and one that is accessible to >all staff. I think storage is always an issue as there never seems to be >enough! > >Where possible consider arranging computer screen where they can be easily >monitored. > >Adequate storage, esp. for AV equip and materials being processed. > >As much natural light as possible. > >Lots of conduit buried in the walls/floor for future networking. >> > >Make sure that the architects know that you need some shelving that works >for E books. When our new library was built, they built shelving all along >one wall and under two windows--two shelves high--the problem is that the >shelves work for standard sized books but not for elementary picture books. > Also, on the check out counter they put in a card well that is >about 18" >deep and six sections wide--bigger than the one we had at Wayne State >College in the 70's! Of course, I've never used it--but have a "hole" in >the top of the counter--and with an automated library who needs a card >well??? > My experience was that the architects come in with ideas suitable >for huge >school libraries and don't really listen to small school "real" world needs. >Be firm with them and I hope you don't get surprises like the too short >shelves and card wells that I got. > > >Leave room for plenty of expansion and be sure that shelves sit on top of >carpeting. Some contractors will try to tell you that you should cut the >carpet to fit around shelf bases. Tell them that they are wrong! We have >been in our "new" facitility not quite 7 years. We have already moved >shelves several times to accomodate additional computer stations and >changing uses for the space. > > >In our district we remodeled 16 schools in the last 3 years and >are about to embark on another 3 yr project to remodel/build 11 schools. I >can tell you what worked out best and what didn't. We used a number of >architects --some did great, others did okay. > >1. Zoned lighting >2. Ample storage and flexible shelving >3. Floor plugs for electrical and data in all areas--more than is needed >now and more than will be needed in five years. >4. Small group class areas. (with powerpoint and projection >devices--lessons for self teaching can be done hourly) >5. Restroom for librarian/staff >6. Waterfountain >7. Flexible shelving (We used Buckstaff in Oshkosh WI and it is >wonderful--combination of wood and steel shelving that can be moved--one >librarian was changing her mind during installation and it was do-able--she >was right, too)(Our vendor is Frank Yench 1-800-755-5949 x255) It took >some persuading to get the architects to give up millwork but in the long >run the were pleased too. >8. Great furniture--no chrome and plastic in "mod" colors. Again we used >Buckstaff --wood tables with wood and fabric chairs--their computer stools >are great!. >9. Stick to classic colors--not what is trendy or what is chosen by the >World Color Board. They change their choices every ten years anyway---in >ten years your library will be out of date by color choice alone. >10. Large circ desk where checkins and checkouts can be done at the same >time--again we used Buckstaff. They also did the office and lounge are >furniture. > >One thing I learned is that some architects are very linear thinkers (makes >sense). If you say you have 2000 800's, then they want shelves for just >that many. They really don't understand that a library is not a constant >and is in a constant state of change. And that because you have the 800's >in one area today that you may decide in three years they work better >somewhere else that you want the flexibility to make that change (another >argument for Buckstaff). So be prepared for that. You may have to be very >persuasive. > > > >Don't get your hopes up too high even though you seem to have been brought >in at the very beginning...which should be a good sign. > >I made of list of 35 "must haves" for our new library and got 3 1/2 of >them. > >There will always be cuts and the library seems to be a ripe target for >building committees. My advice to you is to get the space and forgo the >shelving, tables, etc. at the start. Those things can always be added >when funds become available and added piecemeal. It is always difficult >to enlarge the space. > >Have a small, moveable charge out desk, not one of these that cost as much >as the rest of the library. Cost and nuisance because your program will >grow and need to modify layout etc. For that reason have as much as >possible moveable. Not nailed into place, on castors, flexible in every >way, and carpeting over all not cut out around stgructures. > >Also, have oversize conduits installed through which wires are run. You >will add electrical needs and it is much easier and less expensive when >planned for from the beginning. > >Remember that your architect gets a cut of the furnishings cost so he >won't be amenible to the ideas expressed here. You have to know what and >why and take a very firm stand. Your point is that programs grow and >that calls for flexibility; beauty and interior design do not create >great curricular usage. Space, facilities, and adaptability all do. > >Check tables and chairs in school supply catalogs vs. same in library >supply catalogs. Great difference in costs. Don't short change on >shelving. > > >I've had the opportunity to have two new libraries within the last 6 years. >One for 5-8 and another for K-4. I see you are from Iowa, so I looked in >the atlas to see how large of a facility you might be planning, Lake Park >has less then a thousand people in it but I assume you are a consolidated >district so your school population might be similar to ours. I'm from >Central City, NEbraska and my K-4 building has about 350 students and the >5-8 around 280. The MS building is a totally new facility and our K-4 has >been remodeled/enlarged in the past year. >My libraries are not necessarily "state of the art" but in both buidings, >we made sure the computer lab was next door with windows and a door between >so I can somewhat monitor or offer help if a class is in there. I was >afraid at the MS that this may be a big headache, but it really is not used >for individual students very often (booked much of the time with >keyboarding classes or an individual teacher will bring the entire class in >for typing papers, etc) and if a student does want to use it, they have to >have a pass from a teacher for a specific project. We do not allow them to >use the internet unsupervised in this building. I have five computers in >the media center they are free to use. > >I have an office with an AV room off of it in each building. In the MS, >the AV has a door to the main hall so I can push equipment out to >classrooms without having to come back through my office. In my elem., an >old classroom was enlarged to create the media center so that was not >possible. >Both times I requested that in my office, they provide a LONG drawer above >a set of shelves for storage of large book covers, posters, etc. And BOTH >TIMES it looked like I was getting it on the blue prints, but low and >behold--regular standard drawers when the work was complete. I really wish >I had a long one, I waste a whole shelf otherwise storing that stuff. >Be sure they put a sink in your backroom somewhere. > >If you're coming through Nebr. for any reason--stop in! That's the best >way to get ideas. > >Oh, At the MS we ordered all wood furniture and shelving through Hoover >Bros. They gave us a really good bid. At the elem. the shelving and >furniture was part of the contractor's bid and he opted for Library Bureau >(I think--I have that info. in the other building) We have metal shelving >and wood furniture--and I could advise you to go with Wood if you can (with >backs!) The metal shelving was suppose to come with a short back to keep >the books from sliding on through but we are still waiting on those after >they arrived without! > >Debra Ann Morrow >Library Media Specialist >Harris-Lake Park School >105 Ave. A West >P.O. Box 8 >Lake Park,IA 51347 >MWF 712-832-3616 >TTH 712-349-2340 >FAX 712-832-3640 >dmorrow@harris-lp.k12.ia.us > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. 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