Page 24 - School Planning & Management, July/August 2019

Building Blueprints \{ FACILITIES IN FOCUS \}
OUR CULTURE HAS CHANGED. Your community has changed. Has your library changed yet?
Due to the need for multi-purpose and breakout spaces in schools, changing paradigms in student
learning, increased use
of e-books and other
technology and a growing
desire for community engagement, school libraries are making a shift.
As you consider creating your modern library, let design, function and technology create the best space for your constituents.
By the People, for the People
What do your teachers, students, and communities need and desire? Redefining
and redesigning your current library — or designing a new one, based on the insights gained from surveys, focus groups and in- terviews — should be an exciting prospect that sets the tone for a library with a new
vision and purpose. While every
community can benefit
from a publicly responsive school library, it is especially important
for rural and low-income urban areas. These districts and communities often express appreciation for libraries that offer access to computers, GED or technology courses, Internet, videos and teaching tools. They also value low- or no- fee meeting space that bring like-minded groups together.
Design for Maximization
Informed decisions about natural lighting, colors, furnishings, lighting fixtures, flooring and ceiling treatments, technology and writable surfaces will set the tone for space that is alluring to many. Seek to provide seating arrangements and furniture to accommodate different sizes, situations and group dynamics. Being ca- pable of obliging many types of functions
No More ‘Shhhh!’ THE LIBRARY OF TODAY AND THE FUTURE. by TODD BUSHMAKER, AIA, NFPA, CDT, LEED-AP
REDEFINING AND REDESIGNING LIBRARIES
24 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / JULY/AUGUST 2019
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