Re: New Middle School

[MS_HERBERT <herbert@GEORGIAN.EDU>]

        I am in the process of helping design a library for a new middle
school (grades 6-8) that our school district will be constructing in the
near future.
        Anyone with a similiar experience and helpful ideas, please feel
free to send any suggestions or information to:

        Gary Joseph
        ksw_joseph@k12.mec.ohio.gov
***********
Gary,

First, congratulations for being asked to help design the library!  For some
reason, administrators don't usually ask the librarian(s) for input.  We had
this same honor a few years ago when our college decided a new library
building was needed.  It is a lot of work, but since you are the one who will
be "living" there, it is well worth the effort!

As far as suggestions go...
1)  You need to first decide what your philosophical priorities are - teaching,
information organization and retrieval, etc.- and how the library fits into the
school life and curriculum.  Once you have the answers to these questions, you
can proceed to actual design and other priorities.

If your emphasis is on teaching, have a large area set aside (where it won't
matter if there is "noise" to anyone else who wants "quiet") with enough seats
to accommodate the largest class - and then some.  If your teaching involves
the use of computers/AV equipment, be sure to have this area properly wired and
with lots of electrical outlets/computer jacks in the area.  (You may want to
consider floor outlets.)  You will also have to have window coverings and
separate light switches for this area (in case you need to turn out the
lights,it will affect only this area).  You may want to investigate the
possibility of having a movable wall (that folds up and stores in a
closet-like area) to block this area off from the rest of the library; it will
help to contain the noise.

2)  Even if you can't afford everything at once, (e.g., computers, other
equipment), plan for it now.  You can always use the space temporarily for
something else, and move those things when you can afford what really goes
there.  It's also a lot easier to put the wiring, etc. in during the
construction rather than after the fact.  Basically, plan for everything on
your wish list, and buy whatever you can afford now.

3)  Ask for faculty and student suggestions.
Find out what *they* would like to see in the library and how they would like
to use it.  You may be in for some surprises! <grin>  Don't automatically
discount any suggestion - especially those that seem "far-fetched"; remember,
you're planning for the next 20 years or so (at least), so do it right the
first time, and if possible, incorporate some of their suggestions.  It may
help to increase use as well as change how and what you do!

4)  Resist the temptation to skimp on workspace/office space.  You
(and your staff - even if it's volunteers) have to spend several hours a day
there.  You deserve some uncramped space for yourself.

5)  Lastly, enlist the support of your building administration and faculty.  If
the library isn't already a main part of the school and the curriculum, get it
there, right in the middle of everything.  Convince the faculty that your
library and its resources are *vital* to their success in the classroom and
the students' success.  This support is vital, and the faculty can become your
greatest allies with the district administrators and Board of Education.

You're in for a couple of very busy years...but enjoy it.  The results are
well worth the effort!  Feel free to contact me if you need any additional
help.

Good luck!

Barbara

Barbara Herbert   <herbert@georgian.edu>
Instructional Media Librarian
Georgian Court College
Lakewood, NJ  08701-2697
http://www.georgian.edu