Facility Assignment:
Remodeling of Oak Lane Elementary School
Library
By: Tyson Pentecost
Library Profile
• Built in the 1950’s
• Serves a small rural school in Hurdle Mills, NC
• Student population of 234
• School Mission:
“The Oak Lane tradition of excellence is symbolized by a mighty oak tree deeply rooted by
a caring atmosphere,
community support, parental involvement, individualization, self-discipline, innovative instruction, patriotism,
traditional values, and respect for others. The fruits of our labors are productive citizens who demonstrate selfrespect, community involvement, a lifetime love of learning, successful employment, and self-motivation.
Oak Lane Elementary School produces successful individuals through combined efforts of caring teachers and
supportive staff. All students are expected to work to their highest potential and are encouraged to take pride in their
accomplishments. Our mission is discovering the excellence in each of us. We realize this can only be accomplished
through the combined efforts of students, faculty, parents, and community. Our purpose is to prepare our students
for success in middle and high school and for the future.”
• Library Mission: The mission of the Oak Lane Elementary School Library program is to provide
students with the opportunity to become critical processors and passionate seekers of
information through the development of literacy, research, and problem solving skills.
General Library Issues
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Small, chopped up space
Only a few badly situated electrical outlet
Harsh overhead florescent lighting
Furniture not conducive to wheelchair access
No bathroom in library
Solutions
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Remove some existing interior walls
Add more electrical outlets both in the floor and along the walls
Addition of lamps and dimming switch for overhead lights
Rearrange furniture to make it more wheelchair friendly
Addition of bathroom
Floor Plan
Entrance
Pros:
• Accessible from the outside
• Far from noisier areas of the school such as
gym or auditorium.
Cons:
• Door is not handicap accessible
• Only small sign advertising the library
• Not very inviting or identifiable
Solutions:
• Add large sign to outside to advertise the
library and make it more attractive
• Install button to open doors automatically to
make it more handicap accessible
• Poor concreate for permanent ramp instead of
existing wooden one.
Main Library Area
Pros:
• Natural light from new windows
that have blinds
• New carpet
Cons:
• Not very wheelchair accessible
• Small
• Fixed shelving
• Shelves at heights that are not
accessible to all students
• No signs to direct patrons
Solutions:
• Rearrange furniture for wheelchair
access
• Add small footstools so smaller
students can reach top shelves
• Install casters on existing shelving
for easier movement
• Order new shelving to allow for
expansion of library collection
• Add signs to label different library
areas
Circulation Area/Office
Pros:
• Situated in front of the office
• At a height that is accessible to all
students
• Has a check out computer and barcode
scanner
• Office window to see out into the library
Cons:
• All areas of the library are not visible from
this area
• Small work space for librarian
• Lacks appropriate electrical outlets
• Office area is divided into two small
offices
• No copier, or fax machine
Solutions:
• Rearrange furniture for more visibility
• Order larger circulation desk
• Knock down wall between two offices to
make larger office that can also be used
as storage room
• Add office equipment such as copier and
fax machine
• Installation of more electrical outlets
Circulation Area continued
Pros:
• Height is accessible for all
students
Cons:
• Separated from central
circulation desk
Solution:
• Rearrange furniture to allow for
a more streamlined check/out
area near main circulation desk.
Computer Lab
Pros:
• Computer access for many
students
Cons:
• Closed off from rest of the library
• Computers are not moveable
• Poor N-Computing computer set
up
Solutions:
• Knock down wall (red wall)
between computer lab and main
library to expand space
• Laptops housed in laptop carts
Instructional Space
Pros:
• Includes a SmartBoard, Projector, and
tv
Cons:
• Small area, does not accommodate
the recommended 10-15% of
students at one time
• Not secluded enough for instruction
during regular library operations
• Projector is not mounted in the
ceiling
Solutions:
• Enlarge space
• Rearrange furniture so that the space
is away from other library activities
such as book check out
• Mount projector in the ceiling to
clear floor space
Storage Rooms
Pros:
• Extra space for materials
• Has sink and counter space
Cons:
• Separated from rest of the library
• No windows to see out into the
library
• Used as storage when it would be
better used as student workspace
Solutions:
• Eliminate wall between two
rooms to enlarge space
• Add technology so space can be
used as makerspace.
• Install tile floors to facilitate clean
up in makerspace.
Oak Lane Library Remodeling Budget
Furniture
Item
Budget
Price
Circulation desk
$1,000
4 Reading Floor Rockers
$480
Area rug 5 x 7
$250
3 step stools
$60
Modular chair lounge seating
$620
3 mobile wood shelving units
$2,610
2 Adjustable flower activity tables
$500
30 locking casters
$270
5 adjustable desk lamps
$200
Technology
Laptop storage cart
$2,277
30 hp 14” laptops
$9,000
Tablet storage cart for e-books
$2,969
30 kindle e-books
$2,370
HP copier, printer, scanner all in one
$2,299
Signs
Outdoor LIBRARY sign
$400
5 wall mounted custom signs 6 x 24”
$200
4 wall mounted custom signs 12 x 36”
$400
2 wall mounted custom signs 12 x 48”
$188
Remodeling
Bathroom addition
Price by contract bid
Interior wall removal
Price by contract bid
Removal of carpet and addition of tile in makerspace
Price by contract bid
Installation of electrical outlets in floor and along walls
Price by contract bid
Dimmer for lights
Price by contract bid
Concrete poured for permanent wheelchair ramp
Price by contract bid
Installation of automatic opening doors
Price by contract bid
Estimate: $25,000
Total
$51,093
Bibliography
• Gann, L. (2014). School Libraries for the 21st Century Design Considerations (PowerPoint
slides). Retrieved from
https://blackboard.uncg.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_11_1&ur
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04588_1%26url%3D
• Gann, L. (2014). School Library Facilities (PowerPoint slides). Retrieved from
https://blackboard.uncg.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_11_1&ur
l=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_4
04588_1%26url%3D
• Morris, B. J. (2010). Administering the school library media center. 5th ed. Santa
Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Instructional Technology Division.
(2008). IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs. Raleigh,
NC