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Oftentimes, decisions are made by Administration, Boards, and Architects who fail to recognize the library as a learning place that requires special considerations. 1. Carpets - those cheap string carpets simply do not work! Even laid correctly, the threads pull and no amount of clipping the threads and applying Elmer's Glue can fix it. Applying carpet directly over the concrete floor also doesn't work - though not so immediate a problem - since the concrete will cut into the backing. Frankly, given the choice, I would prefer to have tiles, with large area mats over them. 2. "Pemanent-izing" I'm sure that many view their schools as permanent monuments to the community (it not themselves :0) ). For this reason, concrete walls, built-in furniture, windows are not adaptable. Try for those module office walls, large areas without windows, moveable furniture. 3. Bookshelves. Single-sided 4-foot wood shelving is wonderful and can be moved around when necessary to optimize how you re-arrange the library in the future. 4. Lights. Fluorescent lights are indeed great, but adding a single incandescent fixture between them will reduce the "off-on off-on" that incandescents work by. This is especially important for children (and adults) who get migraines. 5. Electrical Plugs - NOT on the floor when walls are nearby!!!! These limit where you can place your furniture, computers, etc. Cover strips of plastic/rubber work effectively when a cord has to be placed across a floor space. 6. Furnishings - make sure that they are adaptable. Circulation Desks look great in a catalog, but you will have to work with it for a number of years. Plastic chairs are for garden parties, nothing else! If you have the luxury of lounge furniture, be very certain that it will stand up to the daily wear and tear AND that it can be easily mended (Forget the leather or the imitation stuff and go for the cloth). File cabinets???? Be sure to get HEAVY DUTY cabinets with moveable blocks (sorry, hanging files don't work in general settings) 7. Traffic Patterns. Take extra time to determine what you want the patterns to be. Fire doors with no alarm mean trouble if you have a single entry/exit planned, as, by the way, to unscreened windows if you have a security system. 8. Color. Yup, it's great to have mucus white for the first ten days. But be very conscious of what colors and supporting colors you have the library done in. One library had to accept a glorious red wall and nearly went nuts as the children reacted to it every day 9. "Extras" - it is much easier to get those extra things now, if the budget permits it. Trying for electronic security devices, computers, photocopiers, etc. can sometimes be fitted in because the Board (etc.) wants the NEW library to look nice for the parents. 10. Washrooms/Sinks, etc. Yup, I know, it's next door. However, the addition of these facilities will ensure that children are not roaming the halls, with you responsible for passes, etc. (And, of course, the benefit of a water supply for your coffee machine does help) 11. Electrical and network centering. A one-flick switch to turn on all your electrical items and your network saves tremendous amounts of time. And now for some other advice : Accept the fact that the Board wants to get the best for the cheapest, that the architect and the supplies will do the same. The result is that you never get exactly (sometimes, even close) to what you want. Choose some basics - things that are REQUIRED and stick to that with all your might. If you, as I do, change the library around sometimes, give up some of the temporary things that you can purchase in subsequent years (say, floor mats), leaving the REQUIRED as the tiled floor. Never, ever challenge the "educational authority" of those making the decisions - you will find that your architect has already designed 40,000 schools, your administrators will be looking at costs, etc. Go for the "long term" argument : we can save money and add non-required items in later years, by investing (Note the term!!!!) in such and such now. Earl P Sande Elementary School Librarian Director of Library Services Carol Morgan School Santo Domingo Dominican Republic e-mail : sandes@codetel.net.do =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=