Facility Resources Collection
The resources below vary in format, but are all excellent sources of information about library design. The resources are organized from the most general to more specific topics so that a teacher librarian can start at the beginning and gain an overview on the topic and then proceed as needed for more detailed information. Enjoy!
Basic Principles of School Library Design
Sullivan, M. (2011). Divine design. School Library Journal, 57(4), 26. Retrieved from
http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/loginurl=http://search.proquest.com/docview/859431226?
accountid=14474
Margaret Sullivan's (2011) article clearly states and explains her five main considerations in school library design: flexibility, collection diversity, technological infrastructure, livability, and use of natural materials . Moreover, Sullivan emphasizes that as libraries move to a Learning Common model some aspects of library design that used to be considered important no longer seem essential. This top five list is a great place to start when thinking about library facility design.
Evaluating the Physical Space of the Library
Cooper, J. (2007). How to evaluate your library's physical environment. Marketing Library Services,
21(3). Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/MLS/may07/Cooper.shtml
Many considerations must be made by the teacher-librarian when considering how to work with an existing library space. This article suggests the main considerations the teacher-librarian should have when examining their library, specifically looking at: big picture, outdoor appearance, target audience, and customer landscape. Concluding with a “ten simple tips” list, suggestions are given from small decor ideas to how to adjust the ambiance to provide a comfortable space.
Learning Commons
Loertscher, D.V., Koechlin, C., & Zwaan, S. (2008). The new learning commons: Where learners
win! Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research and Publishing.
This book gives a brief overview of the history of learning commons and justifies their use in libraries. The authors have broken down the difference aspects of learning commons from literacy & technology to collaborating in separate chapters while including over a page of resources at the end of each chapter. This book would be prefect from someone who is new to learning commons and wants to learn more, or can be used by someone who is wanting to know how to implement learning commons in their library.
Making a Space Barrier Free
DO-IT Centre at the University of Washington. (2014). Universal Access: Making Library Resources
Accessible to People with Disabilities. Retrieved February 22nd, 2014 from
http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/libres.html#L1
This website is published by the Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology Centre (DO-IT) from the University of Washington. This site provides resources for both families, students, and educators to help students with disabilities feel successful in their schooling. While the site is geared towards post-secondary education, the checklist provided on the website can be used in any library to see if your library facility is barrier free as well as providing helping hints for adapting your teachings in the library to suit the needs of these students. **Just a reminder this is an American site and please consult your own provincial and territorial regulations and laws.
Renovating a library on a budget
Hicks Spira, K. (2002). Renovating on a shoestring. School Library Journal, 48(7), 35. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/docview/211745839/
fulltextPDF/FA0CC5909BDA4EDDPQ/1?accountid=14474
Teacher-librarians are constantly finding themselves limited by budget constraints. Developing a user-friendly library space can be a challenge without the resources to do so. This article helps the reader to think outside the box; to consider alternatives of how to transform an existing library space into a comfortable, desirable location in a school that is updated to a 21st Century learning standard.
School Library (National Institute of Building Sciences)
WBDG Staff. (2011). School Library. Retrieved February 25, 2014 from
http://www.wbdg.org/design/school_library.php
Although this guide to building a school library is aimed at the creation and design of a new facility, it also gives an excellent account of the necessities for existing spaces. This resource page breaks down the key components of a school library into five short sections, making it a quick read and a valuable resource to teacher-librarians.
Teenagers in the Library
Curry, A., & Schwaiger, U. (1999). The balance between anarchy & control: Planning library space for teenagers. School Libraries in Canada, 19(1), 9-12. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/docview/222532287?accountid=14474
While this website is intended to help any new teacher-librarian, this article speaks specifically to those working in Junior High and High School Libraries. It encourages designing a space that allows easy access, independent work space, social gathering spaces, a feeling of ownership for teen visitors,and partially supervised, yet safe, places to read . While some of these design considerations are true of any school library, the article points to the fact that teenagers are in a unique developmental stage that requires designers to balance the need for teenage autonomy with the need for adult supervision.
Website with tons of resources for any teacher-librarian
Bertland, L. (2014). Resources for school librarians: Library facilities design. Retrieved February 22nd, 2014 from http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/building.html
This website is maintained by a retired school librarian from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who has created a collection of resources including links on a variety of subjects that will be useful to new or experienced teacher-librarians. Topics on librarian facilities range from building and design to any possible damage that might occur from water to mold.
Wiki on School Library Design
Facilities Planning (n.d.) from Doug Johnson's Wiki. Retrieved March 5th, 2014 from
http://dougjohnson.wikispaces.com/Facilities+planning
Doug Johnson's wiki is an excellent compendium of resources on everything related to teacher-librarians. However, the facilities page noted here provides a particularly interesting range of materials that explain and provide visuals of the design concerns in a school library, such as traffic patterns, visual controls, and aesthetics. Included are also resources that point out that school libraries act as a type of "third space" in our community, it is not home, nor is it in classroom, it a community space that functions in between.
Youtube Playlist on School Library Facilities
Hodgins, K. (comp.). (2014). Youtube Playlist on School Library Facilities. Retrieved March 5th,
2014 from http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf-AfLpnwpVdGH9lSMhN2eFXmt9J2S__C
This playlist features examples of various school libraries. The libraries range from elementary to university, are pleasantly short (so as not to take up your already limited time) and allow a look at how other teacher-librarians have chosen to work with the space they have been given. Since it is not always possible to travel to various schools for inspiration, enjoy this virtual "tour".
Basic Principles of School Library Design
Sullivan, M. (2011). Divine design. School Library Journal, 57(4), 26. Retrieved from
http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/loginurl=http://search.proquest.com/docview/859431226?
accountid=14474
Margaret Sullivan's (2011) article clearly states and explains her five main considerations in school library design: flexibility, collection diversity, technological infrastructure, livability, and use of natural materials . Moreover, Sullivan emphasizes that as libraries move to a Learning Common model some aspects of library design that used to be considered important no longer seem essential. This top five list is a great place to start when thinking about library facility design.
Evaluating the Physical Space of the Library
Cooper, J. (2007). How to evaluate your library's physical environment. Marketing Library Services,
21(3). Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/MLS/may07/Cooper.shtml
Many considerations must be made by the teacher-librarian when considering how to work with an existing library space. This article suggests the main considerations the teacher-librarian should have when examining their library, specifically looking at: big picture, outdoor appearance, target audience, and customer landscape. Concluding with a “ten simple tips” list, suggestions are given from small decor ideas to how to adjust the ambiance to provide a comfortable space.
Learning Commons
Loertscher, D.V., Koechlin, C., & Zwaan, S. (2008). The new learning commons: Where learners
win! Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research and Publishing.
This book gives a brief overview of the history of learning commons and justifies their use in libraries. The authors have broken down the difference aspects of learning commons from literacy & technology to collaborating in separate chapters while including over a page of resources at the end of each chapter. This book would be prefect from someone who is new to learning commons and wants to learn more, or can be used by someone who is wanting to know how to implement learning commons in their library.
Making a Space Barrier Free
DO-IT Centre at the University of Washington. (2014). Universal Access: Making Library Resources
Accessible to People with Disabilities. Retrieved February 22nd, 2014 from
http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/libres.html#L1
This website is published by the Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology Centre (DO-IT) from the University of Washington. This site provides resources for both families, students, and educators to help students with disabilities feel successful in their schooling. While the site is geared towards post-secondary education, the checklist provided on the website can be used in any library to see if your library facility is barrier free as well as providing helping hints for adapting your teachings in the library to suit the needs of these students. **Just a reminder this is an American site and please consult your own provincial and territorial regulations and laws.
Renovating a library on a budget
Hicks Spira, K. (2002). Renovating on a shoestring. School Library Journal, 48(7), 35. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/docview/211745839/
fulltextPDF/FA0CC5909BDA4EDDPQ/1?accountid=14474
Teacher-librarians are constantly finding themselves limited by budget constraints. Developing a user-friendly library space can be a challenge without the resources to do so. This article helps the reader to think outside the box; to consider alternatives of how to transform an existing library space into a comfortable, desirable location in a school that is updated to a 21st Century learning standard.
School Library (National Institute of Building Sciences)
WBDG Staff. (2011). School Library. Retrieved February 25, 2014 from
http://www.wbdg.org/design/school_library.php
Although this guide to building a school library is aimed at the creation and design of a new facility, it also gives an excellent account of the necessities for existing spaces. This resource page breaks down the key components of a school library into five short sections, making it a quick read and a valuable resource to teacher-librarians.
Teenagers in the Library
Curry, A., & Schwaiger, U. (1999). The balance between anarchy & control: Planning library space for teenagers. School Libraries in Canada, 19(1), 9-12. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/docview/222532287?accountid=14474
While this website is intended to help any new teacher-librarian, this article speaks specifically to those working in Junior High and High School Libraries. It encourages designing a space that allows easy access, independent work space, social gathering spaces, a feeling of ownership for teen visitors,and partially supervised, yet safe, places to read . While some of these design considerations are true of any school library, the article points to the fact that teenagers are in a unique developmental stage that requires designers to balance the need for teenage autonomy with the need for adult supervision.
Website with tons of resources for any teacher-librarian
Bertland, L. (2014). Resources for school librarians: Library facilities design. Retrieved February 22nd, 2014 from http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/building.html
This website is maintained by a retired school librarian from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who has created a collection of resources including links on a variety of subjects that will be useful to new or experienced teacher-librarians. Topics on librarian facilities range from building and design to any possible damage that might occur from water to mold.
Wiki on School Library Design
Facilities Planning (n.d.) from Doug Johnson's Wiki. Retrieved March 5th, 2014 from
http://dougjohnson.wikispaces.com/Facilities+planning
Doug Johnson's wiki is an excellent compendium of resources on everything related to teacher-librarians. However, the facilities page noted here provides a particularly interesting range of materials that explain and provide visuals of the design concerns in a school library, such as traffic patterns, visual controls, and aesthetics. Included are also resources that point out that school libraries act as a type of "third space" in our community, it is not home, nor is it in classroom, it a community space that functions in between.
Youtube Playlist on School Library Facilities
Hodgins, K. (comp.). (2014). Youtube Playlist on School Library Facilities. Retrieved March 5th,
2014 from http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf-AfLpnwpVdGH9lSMhN2eFXmt9J2S__C
This playlist features examples of various school libraries. The libraries range from elementary to university, are pleasantly short (so as not to take up your already limited time) and allow a look at how other teacher-librarians have chosen to work with the space they have been given. Since it is not always possible to travel to various schools for inspiration, enjoy this virtual "tour".