"Renovating the Traditional High School Library"
"The teacher librarian must develop a safe, functional, and attractive facilities that
promotes easy access to information." (Eduscapes)
After visiting two libraries, (middle school and high school), earlier this year,
I came to the conclusion that numerous school libraries across the nation are old
fashion, out of date, and ho-hum with regards to facility design. Cold impersonal
wooden tables and chairs are the rule of thumb along with uninviting dull colored
walls and carpets. Additionally, the libraries I witnessed lacked what a teen
student might call the "wow" factor. In the two libraries I visited I noticed a need
for teen "favorites" or "wants" if you will. Evidence shows that teens today are
high-tech, they are musical, they play video games, and they love the coffee shops
or the Barnes & Noble atmosphere. Doug Johnson, school library author and
expert, emphasized the fundamentals of the 21st century school library, "All
libraries will need to redefine their “value-added” qualities. The reality is that
information seekers no longer need to visit a physical library to meet their basic
information needs. Growing affluence means that many readers can and will
purchase information rather than borrow it. The “Net Gen” prefers the visual and
the virtual."
"I see three primary things libraries can do:



Become the high touch environments in a high tech world. (Think
Barnes & Noble)
Offer our services in a virtual environment. (Think online banking)
Become uber information experts. (Think a highly competent,
highly personalized travel agent) " (Erikson)
Obviously, not every "want" can be met in the school library setting, but even so
with creativity and imagination, numerous areas can be renovated to facilitate an inviting
teen-centered library. Recently, as mentioned before I visited some school libraries. For
this project I would like to discuss renovating Concord High School's Media Center.
While the Pierre Moran Middle School Media Center could also be renovated, the
Concord High School Media Center has more potential for expansion. Whether
renovating a current school library or designing a new school library, the librarian has to
address several elements including aesthetic appeal, collection development, technology,
the overall learning environment, and the budget, etc.
Need: Facility Update...
 Aesthetic Appeal
 New Materials (Collection)
Current Facilities:
Concord High School Media Center is shaped like an octagon with narrow
windows situated every twenty feet or so, (as seen in the picture below). The center has
books lining the walls, waist high bookstands, and wooden rectangle tables and chairs for
the students to sit in. If one were looking into the library, computer stations would line
the right side of the wall. The circulation desk, waist high, sits in the front of the library
tucked in the right corner. Rooms sit to the right and left of the center. These consist of
the offices, technology resource room, and professional resource room.
Key Components:
 Library in the shape of an octagon.
 Neutral colors
 Bright, soft lights.
 Wooden round tables & square tables/chairs
 Large, roomy
 Low bookcases and wall bookcases.
 Numerous computer stations
 Ceiling mounted televisions
 Professional resource room
 Reference section
 Technology resource room
 Tall circulation desk
The pictures depict the
current Concord High School
Media Center attributes.
Collaboration:
"Recognizing that there are no good reasons to design school libraries that are
based on an outdated model, that are too much like school libraries from the 1960s,
everyone involved in the planning of new school libraries will work together to achieve
innovative design" (Erikson). It is important to include others when designing or
renovating the current media center. Collaborating with administration, teachers,
students, and the community is necessary to gain a perspective on the needs of the
patrons. For example, "the 21st Century Library Media Center initiative in New York
City includes 5 campuses, 25 schools, and 12,715 students used a collaborative design
process to rethink the potential of libraries on large campuses as hubs for learning and
community"
Renovated Facility:
Evidence of a futuristic library that is making an impact
Case Scenario:
Clara Barton School Library
"There's no mistaking the newly built Clara Barton School library in the South Bronx. Its
bright orange path, with matching "Library" sign and double doors, stands in vivid
contrast to the school's drab pre-1920s interior. Students ranging from pre-kindergartners
to sixth graders gladly trek to the fifth floor, to an oasis where books and computers are
set amid comfy chairs and tables in a space bursting with color and creativity. Clara
Barton's expanded 2,100-square-foot library (it used to be a dreary 1,000-square-foot
room) has been buzzing with eager kids perusing the metallic stackable bookshelves,
jumping onto one of the Apple computer terminals, or attending a performance or reading
in the library's mini-theater. Many of the school's 920 pupils have also been making a
beeline to the library's 10,000-title collection—more than three times as many books as
before. "I consider it a major coup if I can get [the boys] to trade in their basketballs for
books," says school librarian Elliot Gorlin. "They haven't traded in their basketballs for
books, but they carry books as well as basketballs now." Those familiar with New York
City's ailing school libraries may view Clara Barton's exceptional library as little more
than a pleasant anomaly. But for the many community leaders, parents, and educators
long acquainted with the school, its vibrant, high-tech library most resembles a miracle.
Perhaps equally surprising, the largesse that helped its metamorphosis into a hip
destination for learning has its roots in an unexpected source: the private sector, The
Robin Hood Foundation." Clara Barton has already seen some compelling anecdotal
evidence that its library is worth its weight in gold. Teachers there, for example, had
considered Nico Perry an average student. But since the library opened six months ago,
the once-reluctant fifth grader has become an avid reader and writer, says James Parker,
the school's principal. Perry now regularly scores higher on classroom exams, and his
principal predicts he'll score level four, the top ranking, on this year's citywide math and
reading exams. Parker's enthusiasm might not be too pie in the sky: there's already
quantifiable evidence that the library is playing a key role in improving students'
academic test scores. Last fall, fifth graders at the predominantly Hispanic and AfricanAmerican school demonstrated a 12 percent hike in their citywide social studies
achievement exams. "The library has directly impacted our academic success," Parker
says. "It is without question the most important component of a school; there's nothing
worse than a school without a library" (Lau).
Making libraries high-tech and aesthetically appealing is the necessity of the 21st
century. While we all know the true key to a successful library is the media specialist and
his or her program, and the collection, it does not hurt to include every option including
appearance and fun, educational extras.
-Moving the Circulation DeskThe Concord High School's media specialist Rita Ritzler, addressed the issue of
time management. She stated that due to watching over student's shoulders while they
worked on the computers wastes most of her time during the day. The computer stations
are situated on the right wall, completely out of view from the circulation desk where
Rita does most of her work. Thus, first on the renovation list was to solve Rita's time
management problem. By moving the circulation desk to the center of the library where
there is plenty of unused space, and turning the desk into a circular shape will allow Rita
and her assistant Kate to view all areas, (360 degrees), of the library including the
computer stations. Additionally, a reference desk will be added to provide students with
assistance on research. Reference materials will be located on both sides of the desk in
small bookcases. Moving the desk to the center will make it necessary to relocate the
small bookcases, which will be turned vertically around the desk area.
-Professional Resource RoomThe professional resource room will be turned into an enclosed music station and
lounge area for students. This room is currently used for teacher resources, but not much
evidence of anything goes on in this room. The room holds a very minute collection of
teacher materials as well as a shelf of past school yearbooks. While the room is used for
meetings, I believe that the meetings can be held in the several back rooms that consist of
large offices, technology resources rooms, and storage areas. These rooms have ample
space for a meeting room and the teacher resource collection to be held in. For example,
the tech room has large tables and chairs and private enclosed areas. The office that
currently holds the DVD's and VHS videos can hold the teacher resources instead. The
proposed music room has large windows so the students can be viewed at all times.
Filling the room with comfy beanbag chairs, lounging chairs etc. in the corners with the
music station console in the center is suggestion.
-Aesthetic Appeal-
The library will be updated with modern teen appeal including lounging corners
near the back windows and in the music station. The colors will be vibrant but not
distracting. Big comfy chairs, beanbag chairs, flip out chairs, and ottomans will be
situated in the back of the library. Magazine and newspaper racks will be near these
lounging areas for pleasure reading. Additionally the "Snack Corner," will be in the rear
near the lounging areas. The snack corner will include a coffee machine, espresso
machine, (optional), popcorn machine, (also optional), and a cold drink dispenser.
Additionally, snacks will be added such as cookies, chips, fruit, and candy etc. These
food and drink items will be available to all patrons for a fee in order to resupply the
snack corner.
-RelocationMany areas will be reorganized and moved. The small bookcases have already
been mentioned. The wall bookcases will be removed from the back walls making room
for the lounging areas and snack corner. Small bookcases will be added to the outlying
areas to make up for the lost of the back tall bookcase. The front computer stations will
be removed and situated beside the other computer stations on the far right wall. The
tables and chairs will be relocated where the circulation desk previously sat to correlate
with the computer stations. This is necessary so that any classes being held in the library
can sit and work together. A few tables and chairs will be located near the Music Room
in order to give students an area to work on homework, and research, etc. The DVD/CD
display will be located near the music room for easy access. This is necessary to keep all
of the multimedia together. For example, in the future wall-mounted TV's may be added
in the music room with headphones, where a student may take a DVD such as an
educational documentary, pop it into the TV and watch it for research, assignment, etc.
An art display case will sit in front of the circulation desk as a showcase of student's
work. This makes the student's feel that they are a part of the library. New carpet will be
added as well as paint. Soft colors of blues, greens, and yellows may be a nice scheme,
but many libraries are considering bright splashy colors like orange, fiery red, deep
purples, etc. One has to consider what will work long term and what will be a fad.
-Evidence and EvaluationEvidence that one's renovation works is crucial for the success of the school
library program. Gathering evidence by gathering comments through suggestion boxes,
sending surveys home with students, soliciting the advice from teachers and
administration, tallying patron attendance, circulation numbers, and teacher patronage are
all ways to ascertain if the new look and additions are working.
Case Scenario:
-Clara Barton School Evidence"Through surveys and classroom observations, the firm will determine how the
libraries support, influence, and shape the schools' other instructional programs, as well
as how their activities contribute to improving reading and literacy skills, says Bruce
Haslam, the firm's managing director. Since this is a long-term proposition, the process
isn't expected to yield results until at least a year after the libraries open, at the earliest.
However, there are some things about evaluating a library that are simply immeasurable,
such as the look on the face of a young boy reading his favorite book or a girl jumping
for joy over being surrounded by so many books. Tanner says there's already evidence of
change because kids have been swarming to the new library and principals call her at 11
o'clock at night to talk about the project" (Dau).
Sources:
A Collaborative Effort. "Developing a 21st Century Library Media Center." New Visions
For Public Schools. di Domenico & Partners.
http://www.newvisions.org/schools/downloads/LibraryRound3-Roosevelt_042607.pdf
Accessed November 30, 2007.
Erikson, Rolf. "Commentary by Doug Johnson." DesignShare: Imagining the Future of
the School Library Accessed November 30, 2007.
Lamb. Dr. Annette and Dr. Larry Johnson. C. 2004-2007. The School Media Specialist.
Eduscapes. http://eduscapes.com/sms/administration/facilities.html Accessed November
30, 2007.
Lau, Deborah. 2003. "Gotham's Grand Vision." School Library Journal.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA198861
Accessed November 30, 2007.