Samples of Programs

Samples of Leading School Library Media Programs

For the purposes of this project we have chosen to design a NEW middle school Library Media Center. Presumably this would mean that the whole school building would be new as well, but we are focusing solely on the Media Center. Throughout the semester we have visited or learned about several impressive or newly constructed and state of the art public school library media centers including Patterson Mill Middle/High School, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School, John Walker Middle School, Larry Smith Elementary School, Tecumseh High School, Blue Valley North High School (named the School Library Media Program of the year for 2009). (see attached sources)

In examining the most up to date Library Media Centers in the state and nationally there are several things that stand out as characteristics:

• Technology that is as modern and up to date as possible to keep students and teachers on the cutting edge of information literacy and technology skills.
• Instructional areas consisting of both computer labs (for a mid-sized middle school, this would be two labs consisting of a class set of computers each and one laser printer per lab) and space for tables and chairs, perhaps a seminar area with a large table surrounded by chairs. (These instructional areas could be made more separate by using portable walls on wheels that would physically separate one space from another and may also provide a sound barrier; these could be collapsible walls that save space.)
• Access to technology tools such as LCD projectors and screens or large TV screens that are arranged in a way so as to make information visible to a whole class.
• The design of the SLMC has allowed for expansion when needed; extra available
• Clearly displayed labels and identifications for sections of the library: fiction, periodicals, Dewey classifications, reference, biography, etc.
• A fiction section that caters to the needs and interests of the students
• The School Library Media Specialist and other staff and teachers have unobstructed views from the office or circulation desk into the various instructional areas- vision is not blocked by large columns or shelves.
• Use of natural light in a way so that it does not shine a glare on the information viewing areas, but provides light to supplement interior electric lights.
• Carpeted floors to minimize the sound in the SLMC.
• Shelves no higher than 4 feet so that students and teachers can see across the space to have an ability to supervise the materials and the people using the area. The exterior walls in the inside of the Media Center could have higher shelving because there would be no need to see over them, as longer as the items on the shelves are within student reach. (If we were designing an elementary LMC, we would want to have shelves shorter than this, or at least no higher, so that students could reach the materials. If this was a university library there may not be a need for as much student supervision so the staff would not need a clear line of sight over the shelves.)
• An HVAC system that maintains the climate of the School Library Media Center.
• A space for relaxed reading where students can read independently - magazines, fiction, or other material of their choice.
• Small group work rooms/conference rooms (2 or 3) where groups of students or teachers can meet and not disturb other groups using spaces in the Media Center. (If we were designing a high school or university library we would include more of these because of the larger student population and because students tend to work or study in groups at upper levels.)