1. Facilities Design for Library
Media Centers
Steven M. Baule
North Boone CUSD 200
BauleS@nbcusd.org

2. Library Facilities Issues
 Planning Team
Organization
 Determining Needed
Spaces
 Specifying Needs
 Bids
 Architects, etc.

3. Six Key Issues to Consider
 Flexibility in student spaces
– NCLB
– RTI
 Visual literacy
 Extended access
 Technology readiness
 Supervision
 A place for books

4. Planning Team Organization
– Principal
– Library media specialist(s)
– Classroom teachers
– Student representatives
– Parent representatives
– Public librarian

5. Determining Space Needs
– Services to be performed
– Space required
In the form of classrooms, ea. 1/2 classroom
– Infrastructure required
– Lighting needs
– Located near, away from, etc.

6. Specifying Needs
 Programming
Documents
– Work with the architect
to determine how to
proceed
 Where to obtain
– Facilities Planning
– Architect
– Other districts

7. Shelving
 Display space
 Open
 Closed
 Periodicals
 Paperback racks
Collection Analysis
– Type of collection
– Present volumes
– Anticipated growth
– Volumes per foot
– Linear feet needed

8. Shelving Issues
 ADA Requirements
– 36” between shelves
– 60” to allow passing
 High shelving is still
allowable
 Metal v. Wood
 Linear Feet
– Elementary books
– 20 per foot
– Secondary books
– 10 per foot
– Periodicals
– 50 per foot
– Secondary reference
– 8 per foot

9. Shelving Needs Analysis
Type of Material Present #
of
volumes
Present #
of
shelves
Present linear
feet of
shelving
Number of
volumes to
be shelved
Percent
anticipated
growth/reduction
in collection
Volumes per
linear foot
Number of
linear feet/ # of
shelves needed
Reference Books
Fiction Books
Easy Books
000s
100s
200s
300s
400s
500s
600s
700s
800s
900s
Biographies/
Collective Bios
Reserve Books
Videos
Other AV
Periodicals
Other
Totals
Total number of shelves needed / 5 = Number of full height shelving sections
Total number of shelves needs / 3 = Number of mid-height shelving sections

10. Seating
 One class per LMS+1
 10% of student body
 Square tables are
preferred
 Soft seating?
 Sled chairs?
 Two stage chairs?

11. Tables
 Round v. square v.
rectangular
 Number of students
 Types of projects to be
completed
 Other functions held
in the library

12. Circulation Desk
 Work hard to determine needs
 Be very specific
 Create a mock up
 Most important piece of furniture in the
LMC
 Be able to observe everywhere from here

13. Other Public Areas
 Conference rooms
 Story areas
 Leisure reading
 Break out spaces for RtI
 Etc…. … …

14. Technology Rich Areas
 Computer spaces
– Labs – do you still plan to have one?
– Walk up terminals
– Laptop storage
– Wireless access in classrooms and the LMC
 AV production spaces
– Laminating
– Taping, editing, etc.

15. Network Issues
 NOT Wired v. wireless BOTH
 Fiber v. copper
 Multimode v. single mode
 Phone cable (Cat. 3) v. data cable
(Cat. 5), etc.

16. Staff Areas
 LMS office space
 Work room
 Closed storage
 Computer and AV repair
 Laptop storage
 Network server spaces
 Etc. …

17. Color
 Color used in study
spaces affects learning
 For primary grades
use bright primary
colors
 For secondary students
use tints of blue,
green, gray or beige

18. Signage
 Wait until the library
is open
 Test signage with
temporary signs
 Determine what
questions are asked
 Ensure clarity of
message

19. Bids
 Determine what you want
 Alternative bids are okay
 Know all the state rules
 Find someone knowledgeable about the
process
 You may pre-qualify bidders
 Award bids in a timely manner
 Be involved - don’t have the business office
do everything without your knowledge

20. Bids, cont.
 You can identify some
types of items or sub-
contractors and
“assign” them to the
general contractor
 This allows a certain
flexibility for
circulation systems,
video equipment, etc.

21. Stages of Construction
 Planning phase
 Design development
(DDs)
 Construction drawings
(CDs)
 Construction
 Substantial completion
 Final completion

25. A Construction Who’s Who
 Architect
 Engineers (structural,
electrical, etc.)
 Project manager
 General contractor
 Sub-contractor
 Cable designer
 Foremen

26. Architects
 Libraries are special
spaces
 Find an architect with
library experience
 Visit his/her work
 Ensure that they listen
 Work with the
business manager

27. Timelines
 Backwards planning is required
 Start at the opening date and go backwards
 Move in date
 Furniture setup
 Facilities completion
 Data wiring
 Construction
 Bid award, opening, notice
 Plans completed

28. Additional Resources
 KQ web site- http://www.ala.org/aasl/kqweb/kqbackissues.html
 Baule, S. M. (2007). Facilities Planning for School Library Media and Technology
Centers, Linworth Publishing.
 Bolan, K. (2009). Teen Spaces: The step-by-step library makeover. 2nd ed. ALA
Editions.
 Design Share: Designing for the future of learning www.designshare.com
 Erikson, R. & Harkuson, C. (2007). Designing a School Library Media Center for the
Future. ALA Editions.
 Haggans, M. (1998). 14 Ways to get better performance from your architect. School
Planning & Managemen, 37 (3), 24-27. (Dated but excellent source for those new to the
process)
 Hart, T. L. (2006). Top ten list of library facility technology issues. Library Media
Connection 24 (4): 46-47.
 Johnson D. (2009) Some design considerations. www.doug-johnson.com.
 National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities www.edfacilities.org/rl/libraries.cfm.

29. Questions?
Thank you