The School Library Manager_Surviving and Thriving, 6th Edition by Blanche Woolls

Author:Blanche Woolls [Woolls, Blanche]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440852572
Goodreads: 36873016
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
Published: 2017-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

Planning New Facilities

When school librarians have the chance to build a new facility, they should visit several sites to review what other librarians consider the strengths and weaknesses of their designs. What works well in one location may not work well in another. What did not work in one location should be avoided if possible in new plans and could be useful for convincing architects to rethink something similar in their plans. Architects tend to have limited opportunities to exercise creativity in designing classrooms, cafeterias, offices, gymnasiums, auditoriums, and band rooms. Thus, many architects see the library as the place to make an artistic statement. Unfortunately, many of those statements create dysfunctional libraries. Collecting ideas is always helpful, and a truly successful idea can be presented to the architect as a suggestion.

The main function of the library is to provide an environment that will encourage and support teaching and learning within its spaces. Enlisting the assistance of teachers and students in planning to meet their future needs creates advocates and supporters who will help define the library and deflect unworkable suggestions by architects. It also builds support for building a new facility for learning and helping find funding for new technologies both present and future.

As teachers and students join in the planning process they are reminded of the library program philosophy and goals. They need to have some descriptions of rearrangement of libraries so that shelves for the fewer and fewer books being purchased do not occupy the central space within the library. They can then be asked to help define the areas of need in the library. The OPAC and computers with access to databases and online references should be near the librarian’s reference desk so that students and teachers can be helped quickly. Proximity to a librarian becomes particularly important because software changes so rapidly and also because staff can encourage students to choose a variety of sources rather than depending on a quick Google search.

Some areas may be designated for recreational reading, viewing, and listening, but other areas should be available for quiet study. This is especially needed for students who do not have access to an online connection at home. Schools requiring students to complete online courses must provide the opportunity for students to do their “homework” in the library. Circulation of materials and borrowing and returning materials and equipment tend to be noisy activities and should be located near the entrance. Internet access points may also become noisy when students work in small groups to search or share the information they are finding.

When it is time to meet with the architects, they will be interested in the philosophy of service for the library. This is the time to discuss the placement of the library in the building. Although most teachers feel that their programs are central to the school, the library should be quickly accessible from all classrooms.

Architects need to know the number of students and teachers to be served, the numbers of materials and

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