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["Robert N. Loving" <rloving@PEN.K12.VA.US>]

Newsgroups: va-pen.mailing-list.lm_net
Path: rloving
From: rloving@pen.k12.va.us (Robert N. Loving)
Subject: HIT:  new facility plans
Message-ID: <DzG5wq.2Ewu@pen.k12.va.us>
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 01:10:02 GMT
Organization: Virginia's Public Education Network

Thanks for all the good responses I received concerning plans
for a new library facility.  Below are the responses I got that
are worth passing on to you:
1.  Don't have a library with 2 floors.
2.  Check sources for ideas: from Oryx Press, order Planning
Library Interiors.  4041 N. Central Ave, Suite 700, Phoenix AZ
85012; Order from Texas Educ. Assoc.: The Library Media
Center:A Force for Student Excellence; Attracting Students and
Teachers to the LMC; Planning the LMC Facility for the 1990s
and Beyond--1701 N. Congress Ave. Austin TX 78701.
3.  Purchase your own furnishings and shelving. Do not leave it
up to the architect.  Order from a company that manufac;tu;res
furniture just for libraries--not from a library supply company
catalog.  Order furniture that will adjust for student needs.
4.  Include conference rooms, workrooms, librarian offices,
bathrooms, running water, locked storage, security.
5.  Leave space for displays at the student level.  Be careful
of placement of windows--not in story area or classroom area.
6.  Include separate sections for upper and lower grades.
7.  Make sure circulation desk has an exit at each end and has
several levels to accomodate younger and older students as well
as adults.
8.  Include 3X the number of electrical outlets as you think
you will need.  Include lots in circulation area, workroom,
in floor, on every side of any columns in the center of the
library.
9.  Think about the placements of phone jacks.  Make sure it is
on the wall in your office where your desk will be.
10. Don't make shelving too high.  Provide for lots of
shelving.  You will never need less even though technology
keeps advancing.  Students will always need and want lots of
books to check out and take home to read.
11. Use a big square for the library space.  Dedicate on end of
the square for administrative purposes.  the rest will be left
for student and class use.
12. Wire for the 21st century.  Put fiber optic cable in as the
walls and roof go up.  This is much easier than adding later.
13. Drop everything and go whenever the administration asks for
your input.  Put your thoughts in writing and turn them in as
soon as you think of them.
14. Analyze every new edition of the architects' plans.
15. Meet with electrical engineer to discuss placement of
lighting and outlets.  Overhead lights should all be parallel
to the stacks and in the center of each aisle.  Place
stacks/shelves in the architects' plans to assure this.  Be
ready to give measurements to architects when this is asked
for.  Communicate these wishes to the electrical engineer
before the contract is given to a contractor.
16. Visit construction site often.  Don't be afraid to ask ?
about what you see.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

---
Robert N. Loving(Bobby)
Librarian, Central Elem. School
Fluvanna Co. Public Schools
(804) 589-8318
rloving@pen.k12.va.us