Memo

To: From: Date: Re:

Architect Joe Shmoe, School Improvements Inc Jocelyn Martin, School Librarian 12/3/2012 Renovations to Central Elementary School Library

Given that the population of Central Elementary School is projected to increase from approximately 680 students to 1025 students (50% increase), there are many changes that need to be made to the library to enable it to better serve the increasing population. Please consider this information in this memo as you draw up the plans to ensure that the new space is functional for the school community.

Walls and Windows: As you know, the current space is an open area approximately 1400 square feet in the center of the school, with book shelves serving as the walls between the library and the main hallway. In order to best serve the increased population, the space needs to be enclosed with walls/windows and doors. To keep the space open and inviting, the walls should be solid on the bottom half and the top half windows. The addition of double doors to create one main entrance to the area, with a circulation station by this entrance and one side entrance located by a small work room would greatly help with classroom management. Learning Areas: The layout of the space needs to be changed to create five separate learning areas: a story center, a classroom area, a computer area, a presentation area and a reading nook. The story center should be an area large enough to fit approximately 30 students on the floor, and the area should be surrounded by the lower book shelves that will house the Everybody picture books. The classroom area should be able to house 6 rectangular tables that seat 6 students per table. The area should also include room for an interactive white board to be the focal point. The computer area should have room for thirty desktop computers and/or laptop stations with enough charging stations for every device. This area should be located next to the classroom area. The presentation area should be adjacent to the classroom area and include a camera, green screen and appropriate wiring for closed circuit television throughout the entire building. The reading nook should have room for 3 or 4 comfortable chairs for the students to relax and read. The reading nook should be located within the sight line of the circulation desk. Technology: Given that technology is continually changing, building a dropped ceiling or raised floor that would allow for easy updates to the technology infrastructure would be the single most important improvement to the space. Including power outlets and internet drops throughout the entire room, not just the computer area, would make for a st more advanced library. Also, installing a wireless hub would be essential to the instruction of 21 century skills. Space and appropriate wiring for a mobile and self-projecting interactive white board would enhance instruction. Lighting: Due to being open space, the current lighting is controlled by the hallway lighting. The lighting needs to be changed so that it can be controlled within the newly contained library space. Each area of the library should be on a separate light switch so that, for example, it is possible to have the lights off in the computer area, but on in the classroom area. Shelving: The current shelving around the outer perimeter of the library is excellent; however, with the increase in population, the collection will need to increase from the current 12,711 books. The addition of 2 shelf bookcases that are easily movable would help with the storage of the new materials as well as making the space flexible for the variety of learning activities. Thank you for taking my ideas into consideration. I look forward to working with you throughout the renovations.