AASL Resource Guides for School Library Media Program Development

Facilities

bullet point Erikson, Rolf, and Carolyn Markuson, Designing a School Library Media Center for the Future. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. ISBN 0-8389-0790-3

Other than the students themselves, nobody will be affected more by a school library building, remodeling or renovation project than the school librarian. Designing a School Library Media Center for the Future will help the librarian anticipate needs and participate in the planning process with the architect, consultant(s), building committee and administrators. As technology is driving many projects, the book outlines how networking issues affect the design of the space. It presents a lay person explanation of interior zone planning, furniture selection and purchasing, lighting, etc. Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org/aasl or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).

bullet point Hart, Thomas L. The School Library Media Facilities Planner. New York: Neal Schuman, 2006, ISBN: 1-55570-503-0.

This book is full of suggestions for all stages of the facility planning process, whether new construction or remodeling. The book offers examples of exemplary facilities, success stories and problems encountered. It includes appendices for a glossary, model policies and planning documents, and a companion DVD that takes the reader on tours of several new or remodeled school libraries.

bullet point Johnson, Doug. "Building Digital Libraries for Analog People: Ten Common Design Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them." Knowledge Quest 28, no. 5 (May/June 2000): 10-15.

Director of Media and Technology in the Mankato (Minn.) Public Schools, Doug Johnson shares 20 years of practical wisdom for media center design in his inimitable, humorous style.

Some Design Considerations When Building or Remodeling a Media Center, by Doug Johnson, http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/some-design-considerations.html, last updated June 28, 2007. Earlier version also available in ERIC at ED 425609.

bullet point Public Education Network and American Association of School Librarians. The Information-Powered School. Edited by Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Anne Wheelock. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001. ISBN 0-8389-3514-1

Contains more than 40 templates and model forms, all tested in actual Library Power sites. Outlines a specific plan for school library media specialists and teachers to share the responsibilities of planning, teaching, and assessing student learning and offering a truly coherent curriculum. Includes tips from experienced practitioners on gathering the support of teachers and principals, on managing new roles and responsibilities, and on leading the charge to integrate information literacy and technology into curricula. See chapter 9, "Refurbishing for Learning." Available from the ALA Online Store at http://www.alastore.ala.org/aasl or call 866-SHOP ALA (866-746-7252).

Knowledge Quest, Vol. 31, #1, September/October 2002. Theme for issue: “Books and Bricks”.

Five articles offer practical advice in planning for a new or remodeled library media center.

bullet point Anderson, Mary Alice. “Fighting the Good Fight: Designing a Library Media Center,” Book Report May/June 2001, Vol. 20 #1, p. 6, 8-9.

The author recounts the experience of designing and building a new library media center for a middle school, noting successful elements and those that might be improved.

bullet point Farmer, Lesley. “Facilities: The Tech Edge.” Book Report, March/April 2002, vol. 20, #5, p. 26-28.

Examines the impact of technology on facilities and suggests some low-impact ways to optimize its use.

bullet point Klahefn, Chris. “Sight Sound and Supervision: Space Planning for K-12 Library Media Centers.” Colorado Libraries, Winter 2006, Vol. 32, #1, p. 25-27.

This article offers practical advice on do’s and don’ts in library media center design to maximize available space.

bullet point Manley, Kathy. “10 Tips for Surviving a Knock-Down Drag-Out Media Center ‘Renovation’”. Library Media Connection, January 2003, Vol. 21, #4, p. 50-51.

This article includes practical advice for librarians dealing with a media center renovation and move.

bullet point Moyer, Mary and Rosalie M. Baker. “Redesigning a School Library Media Center for the 21st Century.” Library Media Connection, April/May 2004, Vol. 22, #7, p. 24-25.

This article details the process followed by a pair of high school media specialists who needed to redesign and rearrange the furniture in their media center to improve functionality for teaching, supervision and group meetings.

bullet point “Outstanding Designs: Libraries/Media Centers.” American School & University, August, 2006, Vol. 78, # 13, p. 118-131.

This article includes descriptions and photos of the architecture and interior designs of schools honored for the outstanding design of libraries and media centers in the 2006 American School & University’s Educational Interior Showcase. Each August issue of this journal features the ‘Interior Showcase’, including photos of new library media centers. Each November issue includes a special section called the ‘Architectural Portfolio’. Its focus is on the larger design of new buildings for schools or universities, but may also include photos of new library media centers within those buildings.