Library Design Project

The library that I chose to renovate is John F. Hodge High School Library in St. James, MO. This is the high school in the district in which I teach. The library serves about 450-500 students. The library is staffed by one full-time librarian only.

This particular library has been neglected for several years, which made it extremely hard for me to narrow down the areas of renovation. This library is set to undergo major changes this year, as the librarian that has been running it is no longer in the district, and the librarian from the middle school is moving over to the high school. Side note, I happened to be teaching summer school and had my class in the library and I designed this plan, so that did help to be able to look around and gather ideas!

Areas of renovation/innovation:

1. The Library Classroom – This classroom has so much potential. It already has windows into the library, much like the library in McHold’s video. Right now the classroom is being used as nothing more than a computer lab. Computers already line two of the walls in the room, which is great, but I would add tables that are easily moved and rearranged. This would make the classroom very versatile to suit any group that needs to use it. I would also add a Smart Board. Our district is lucky enough to have Smart Boards in nearly every classroom, so it makes sense that there would be one in this classroom that would be readily available to anyone, students or staff, who needs to use it. This would be the perfect room to go to give a presentation or just to collaborate in peace and quiet. This addresses the concept of a learning commons by providing a place for a variety of collaborative activities.

2. The Equipment Storage closet – I understand that the equipment needs a place to be housed, however, I don’t feel like a closet of this size is necessary. I think it could easily be used as both a closet, but also a video production/editing room. My goal in this area is to provide a space for students to branch out with their use of technology. Right now, the only video production area is for the school tv station, and it is not for use by non-Tiger TV students. This would give everyone else an opportunity to use the technology. This addresses the concept of a learning commons by providing the technology and the space for collaboration.

3. Fiction section/Periodicals – Right now, the periodicals are on display in the middle of the fiction section. I wouldn’t move them far, but just move them against a wall to clear space to add comfortable seating. There are no couches or comfy chairs in the library at this time, which adds to its uninviting feel. My goal is to add the varied seating to make it a more comfortable and inviting place for students (or staff) to hang out and read or work on projects. Learning centers are supposed to be an inviting place and the hub of the school, the varied seating helps to make it just that. Side note – I would eventually want to add even more varied seating, but there are some space problems, so that would definitely take some creativity!

4. New Book Display/Teacher Resource area – Right now, the reference section takes up more space than it really needs to and there is some wasted space. I would take this wasted space and do two things with it: create a place to display new library acquisitions and create a place for teachers to share resources. I would make an attractive table or rack to display the new books. These can be books for all categories, not just the new fiction. There could also be a poster or sign listing the new materials purchased, so that even if the item is check out, the students know that it is now in circulation. For the teacher resource area, this could include professional books and even literature sets. It could include all of those training manuals that we receive from various workshops. It could also be a place for teachers to check out manipulative. The materials from this section would be gathered from the teachers. The elementary in my district is doing something like this in a room separate from the library. Teachers send their resources (that they don’t use on a daily basis) to the room so they are available and useful to all.

Design Project