Designing Library Spaces

Setting the mood…

Find one image that symbolizes the physical environment or mood you want to present in

your school library.Paste it onto the whiteboard.

You know your library needs a makeover

when…

Number 5

The poster next to your circulation desk used to be orange, but has faded to an unappealing shade of pink

Number 4Things have been stored

in “temporary” places for so long that your students and staff think that’s where they

belong.

Number 3

The celebrities in your posters are so uncool that the teachers are the only

ones who recognize them.

Number 2The duct tape holding your

posters up disintegrates and showers down on you

as you pull them off the walls

And the number 1 clue your library

needs a makeover….The art teacher who painted the pictures in your library is

not just retired, but deceased.

Who cares? Students will think that because a library

looks dated, it IS dated. It won’t matter how new your collection is.

Making the place visually appealing to students will make them want to be there

Neglect of your library’s appearance is interpreted as neglect of the library program

When planning a renovation or revitalization….

Take the time to study how your current space is used

Weed your collection before a rearrangement, renovation

or rebuild

Survey your faculty & student about what’s missing from your current library

Visit other libraries for ideas

Project & Predict: how might your user’s needs

and your needs change in 5 years? 10? 20?

Find a library building consultant

Fred Schlipf, Building Consultant

Web Site:http://www.librarybuildingconsultants.com/

Contact distributors; many have consultants on staff with training in interior design & decorating (Brodart, Ingram, Demco) – often they will consult with you for free in hopes you’ll buy from them

Take 2 X 2

Consider the library spaces you know for children & teens.

List 2 things that work

List 2 things that need work

Sharing Spaces

A Library Tour

There are several types of library space:

Entrance space Study area & relaxed reading space Class work area Computer areas Staff work space Collection space Meeting space & special use space

First Impressions:The Entrance

What to keep in mind

The entrance to the library should reflect its important role in the school. Make sure the kids know they are entering an important place

Use the entry to re-enforce the library’s message: students are welcome here

What to doGET RID OF THE CLUTTER!Get rid of out of date pictures, mirrors,

and equipmentAdd colorMake the entrance student friendly –

artwork, displays, posters, bulletin boards, etc.

Cost $2.50 for binder clips

Cost: paint for murals

Study AreaRelaxed Reading Area

What to keep in mind

Students don’t study in a library atmosphere at home

It’s easier to concentrate when you’re comfortable

Silence bothers kids more than noise

OccupancyHave a good idea of the number of students who will using your library at a time; plan for

occupancy

What to do Put something interesting on the walls Arrange a distinct study area where students

can be away from classes who are doing research

Add some comfortable furniture Play music Put fun reading materials in this area Do not create too many rules for the area.

Let students relax; try telling them what they CAN do here instead of what they can’t

Cost: Appx $25 for posters, $70 for rocking chair, $5.99 for plant

Cost: $35 for Elvis, appx $20 for tree decorations

Cost: appx $300 for heavy-duty bean bag chairs; $70 for display cube

Cost: Floor Rockers $100 each; display cube $70

Cost: Café tables/chairs $300; circle chairs $50 each; rug $25; Teen favorites/graphic novel signs $25 ea.; posters $12 each

Class Work Area

What to Keep in Mind

Students need to interact with each other to learn

Students are lazy. Make sure all research materials (reference collection, computers, etc.) are close at hand.

What To Do Add new wall decorations Get rid of clutter Get rid of huge study tables, allowing for

more small group activity (6-8 students at a table is too many!) and more classes

Move reference area and computers closer to class study area – make area convenient for students to use

Cost: $10 ea. for posters

Computer Areas

Integrated Technology

Have a thorough understanding of the technological requirements of the space, including anticipated future

needs.

What to keep in mind

Technology spaces need to be flexible – we don’t know what our tech needs will be in the future

Students need access to computers, but access needs to be supervised

What to doKeep the computers cleanTry different (unconventional?)

arrangements for technologyKeep cord clutter out of sightGet rid of equipment that doesn’t work

While you’re away…

What do you think is the #1 thing you could do to improve a library space?

Staff Work Space

What to keep in mind

Don’t build a fortress – make the circulation desk approachable

Don’t hide out in your office – students won’t come find you there.

Encourage “impulse buys” at the check out counter

Clutter isn’t appealing

What to do Decorate the circ desk Put displays near the circ station & library

sign-in sheet so kids will check them out Make sure you can see the whole library from

the circ desk Get rid of the clutter – create a space to store

your work Create a space for yourself at the desk so

you can work comfortable there. Clean out your storage room & keep it clean!

Collection Areas

Shelving systems

Depending on the particular needs of a library space, shelving systems can be

integrated into the design of the room or installed as modular and adaptable units.

What to keep in mind

Collection space is for research and for browsing

Things need to be easy to findThe collection needs to be visually

appealingShelf space should be adequate

What to do Shelf read – keep the books in order Create appealing signs to help students find

materials Weed - shelves should only be about 2/3 full Use empty shelf space & shelf tops to display

books, plants & student art Make sure collection area is well lit

Meeting Space&

Special Use Space

What to keep in mindYour library will need to serve a variety

of different needs & patrons, sometimes at the same time

Space needs to be flexible – create zones

Students, teachers, administrators & visitors will use your space.

Watch how the space is used to anticipate needs

Acoustic and Visual PrivacyLibrary space types will typically include reading and

private work/study areas that require acoustic and visual separation from general circulation and

work areas.

What to doDon’t be afraid to make changes when

needs change.Make all spaces appealing – don’t turn

areas designated for other things into overflow storage

Provide for the needs of the people using the space – whiteboards, markers, TV/DVD player

With your group….Consider the library area and tips we just discussedPick one area that you can see well in your photos(entrance, relaxed reading area, class workspace, computer area, staff workspace, collection area,

meeting/special use space)•What’s working in this area?

•What’s not?•What could be done for cheap/free to improve this

space?•What could be done if you had some money

(say a couple of thousand $$?)

Getting Ideas

Getting Ideas Use your students as resources – ask for their suggestions,

use their artwork and other class work for free decorations Consider surveying your students to see what they want, or

form a Student Advisory Board and ask them for suggestions – and not just about decorating!

Give students digital cameras and ask them to take pictures of their favorite spaces – then use the photos for inspiration

Consider using a theme to pull together your decorating: sports, the 1960s, the jungle, etc.

Use magazines, student lockers, fashion and fads for inspiration

Have fun – think like a student

Getting Stuff

Getting Stuff Pick up furniture secondhand Ask for furniture donations from the public (be

specific about needs, requirements, etc.) Get on corporate donation lists Use common items in creative ways Use fine $ and/or $ from fundraisers to buy

new stuff you can’t get free or secondhand Repurpose what you have

Cost: $2 for fabric; letters found

Cost: free

Getting Stuff Done

Getting Stuff DoneTake all posters and decorations down

at the end of each year. This forces you to change things at least once a year

Try to accomplish one “decorating” task per week – you’ll be amazed at how much you get done by the end of the year

Save big tasks for early dismissal days, institute days or P/T conferences

Cost: $35 Elvis; $20 tree decorations, $25 poster at Kinko’s

Finding Space

Finding Space Move things around – experiment Use tops of shelves, sides of bookcases – any blank

or empty space is fair game for decorating Think vertical – stack things (milk crates, bins,

pedestals, etc) Use portable displays, furniture, etc. so you can

move things around to accommodate new situations Use the ceiling – be 3-D A separate recreational reading area doesn’t have to

be large, but it’ll make a huge impact and say a lot about students being welcome in the library

Displays

Displays A display can brighten an area as well as entice students to use

library resources Think impulse buy – put new book or themed book displays

near the circ desk, sign in sheet, computers – anywhere that is a high traffic area

Incorporate other objects into book displays to add visual appeal Make sure themed book displays are of themes that are

interesting to students – figure out what’s hot now, or ask a student to do the display

Change and replenish displays frequently – keep your students looking

Use the ends of bookshelves to display books – make your entire fiction section a book display

Cost: Free

Starting from Scratch

What are some of the things you’ll need to think about when designing

a library from scratch?

Heavy floor loads

Library stacks and records storage

are typically designed for a 150 lbs per square foot

load.

Special LightingEstablishing lighting

zones at the beginning of the design process.

Differentiate between the

lighting needs for shelving,

circulation, reading and workrooms.

Consider energy efficient lighting.

Coming Up…

• On-campus Day• Scenario 4 & Portfolio due July 21st