A better library

By socorrogutierrez | L Redesign your school library with new spaces for community groups

Overview
Collect Info
Brainstorm Ideas
Develop Solutions
Final Design

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Something that I would like to change about Curie’s library is the space that it has. In my opinion more space, more chairs and tables will allow more amount of students to do their homework or anything they need to do. More computers where the students are able to use at all time. Limit the use of the internet but also let them play games or things like that. There is some student that likes to go to the library to spend time and not to work so an area just for that people that like spending time in the library would encourage more student to go. Allow the student to use anything on the library the books and the computers.
Make the library better will attract more student to go and use. The library is a place were student are able to go and relax but sometimes there are classes that makes a lot of noise witch it kill the peaceful place the library is.

Comments

You didn't address the community space requirement.

By pmjoanes, Educator at 08:50 am, 12 October 2012

Collect Instructions

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Gather more information about your existing school library by taking photos, sketching, conducting interviews, and doing additional research.

Think About:

What are all the different functions / activities that currently take place in your school's library?
Do you enjoy working and reading in this room now? Why or why not?
How is the library different than a typical classroom?
When you study at home, where and how do you read? (On the couch, on the floor, on your bed, outside, at the kitchen table, at a desk in your bedroom?) Could similar comfortable places be designed for your new school library?
Will you redesign the interior of your existing school library or will you build a new addition for these spaces?
How do students collaborate around technoloyg with other students? Where do you do this now?
In what ways could your school building become a small community center for residents after school hours?

Try This:

Take photos of your school's library, the media center, the study hall, or any other space where students are hanging out.
Measure the overall size of your school's existing library. Is it crowded now or does it have empty space?
Measure the number of linear feet of book shelves in your school library. Ask the librarian if they feel your library should contain more or less space for bound books?
Take photos of where students are studying at school - either independently or in a small group - throughout the school day.
Ask your school's administrator about any types of community groups that may already use your school building in the evening.
Interview your school librarian and several classmates. What do they think about the existing library? What changes would they make if they had a choice?
Make a list of all the different functions / activities that currently take place in your school's library.
Make a list of all the things you like about your library. Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
Several new public libraries have opened recently around the world. What can you learn from these? Investigate... (links to come)
Some of the most impressive historic libraries provide an awe-einspiring place to learn. What can you learn from these? Check out...(links to come)

socorrogutierrez's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary

pitures of the media center.

This picture is showing were are the books are located.

2 comments

All of this computer the student are able to use, in order to do homework or any type of work.

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This is the front desk where any people that come in to the library have to sing their name.

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In this area students are able to sit and relax, do homework if that is what they whant.

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This computer are also for the students need.

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This is also an area to relax and do homework, maybe read.

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I gave away 20 copies of this survey to students in Curie. With this survey i will be able to make...

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Brainstorm Instructions

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Develop preliminary sketches to help you puzzle through new ideas and solutions.

Think About:

Many libraries just have rows of book shelves and a few tables and chairs for students. But is this the best way for students to access, learn, and share information today?
How does collaborative learning occur in a library?
How can you provide both quiet and noisy learning spaces in a library?
Does the library have a separate entrance so community groups can enter/exit in the evening without having to walk through the entire school building?

The library will need to include four big types of spaces and furnishings:

a reading room / study loungue (tables with computers, chairs, couches, etc)
book storage and a circulation book check-out counter (shelves, work counters)
librarian's office and workspace
meeting rooms (tables, chairs, technology options)

Try This:

You'll need to decide where will this new library be located in your school. Are you redesigning the exsiting space or building a new addition?
Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of your existing library and / or a possible location for a new library addition.
Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school. Identify a location for the library.
Contact your school's building or maintenance department. They may already have a floor plan of your school to use as a reference.
Sketch bubble diagrams to figure out the spatial relationships between the various rooms and spaces in your new or redesigned library. Which spaces will be next to each other? Which spaces should not be next to each other?
Make lots of sketches to get your early ideas down on paper. Learn from each different idea.

Your design or redesign of a new library might include the following types of sizes of spaces. These are just suggestions. Feel free to revise this and incorporate other spaces you think may be needed.

Library space planning rules of thumb:

space	800 students in your school	1200 students in your school	1600 students in your school	2400 students in your school
Reading Room / Study Lounge with computers	1,400 square feet	2,100 square feet	2,800 square feet	4,200 square feet
Book storage and book check-out counter	1,400 square feet	2,100 square feet	2,800 square feet	4,200 square feet
Librarian's office / workroom	120 square feet	120 square feet	240 square feet	240 square feet
Meeting rooms	1 room at 250 square feet	2 rooms at 250 square foot each	3 rooms at 250 square foot each	4 rooms at 250 square foot each
TOTAL	3,170 square feet	4,820 square feet	6,590 square feet	9,640 square feet