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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