Re: [LM_NET] Money for new library

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

Sorry this is so long.  Skip to the bottom paragraph if you only want the short 
answer.
   
  I was in library school 12 years ago (much has changed) and I had an assignment 
in my School Library Admin Class... Design a new library.  I thought it was silly, 
because I'm no architect, and of course a school district will make all the BIG 
decisions.  Finally I got into the swing of the assignment.  I was shocked when I 
was almost finished on a Sunday morning the day before the assignment was due and I 
discovered my project cost was over 1 million dollars!!!!  Where had I gone wrong?  
What mess had I created?  This would never do, no district would spend more than 1 
million on an elementary library!!!  I called my professor at home that Sunday, but 
she was very calm.  She said, "Fine, it's fine.  I want you to learn about the 
decision process, don't worry about the money itself.  You've learned so much just 
asking these questions and seeking sources for the answers."
   
  Well, I have returned to that little project so many times.  When my district 
passed a bond issue that meant a new facility (no money for collection), and I was 
invited to the architect's meeting.  I took my floor plan, poor rudimentary thing 
that it was.  Well, the district plan that was used at 6 of the other district 
sites wouldn't fit on the land at my school.  Imagine everyone's surprise when I 
pulled out my little design.  The architect used it!!  I got that floor plan, and 
it is wonderful.  Then, when we got bond money for the collection I got my old 
project out to review my ideas about allocating such a large sum of money.
   
  I've had some experience and I've reflected since I was in library school.  No, I 
don't think $100,000 is enough for a new library.  I would want more than that just 
to begin with books, materials, AV and equipment.  What about furniture, shelving, 
signage, rugs and decor?  It's so very much when you plan a new library.  Good luck 
and get ready for a wonderful new experience.

Taliah Abdullah <bklover10@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
  Is $100,000 a "decent" amount to begin a new K-8 library? I am asking on 
behalf of a friend, and potential Librarian at the school. Neither of us 
have experience with brand new school libraries. I don't know anything about 
the library with the exception of it being created from the ground up. Thank 
you for any experience and expertise you can share.

Taliah

Taliah Abdullah
Senior Librarian
Pauline Robinson Branch
5575 E. 33rd Ave.
Denver, CO 80207
303-370-1532
303-370-1541 (fax)
tabdull@denver.lib.co.us(work)
bklover10@hotmail.com(LM_NET)
http://www.denverlibrary.org

"Education is your passport
to the future, for tomorrow
belongs to the people who
prepare for it today"
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

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        Lisa Hunt
  School Library Media Specialist, elementary
  National Board Certified Teacher
  Moore, OK
  lisa3moon@yahoo.com 





                
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