LIBRARIES
Orchard School
Building Schools For The Future Libraries
“I don’t like libraries and I don’t like dealing with librarians. They say they want change, but what they want is what they had in the past.”
As information specialists, librarians embrace change with enthusiasm and are among the first to recognise the potential of modern technologies to revolutionise service management and delivery. However, when it comes to meshing functionality with innovation, they do sometimes find themselves at odds with architects and furniture design professionals. Assumptions about the role of the school library can result in the creation of areas that, although outwardly exciting and inspiring, make it difficult to exploit the library’s full potential. In recent years, PFI initiatives have seen the creation of new and refurbished libraries, some of which genuinely enhance and extend learning. Others are, however, less fit for purpose. Clearly there is scope for greater understanding between all stakeholders concerning the contribution of the school library to learning and teaching and the implications for library design.
While modern technologies mean that libraries are increasingly able to transcend their physical limits, a dedicated space, able to cater for a wide range of activities, remains a necessity. Successful school libraries not only function as learning and information hubs, but also support students’ personal development. Collaborative and independent research, personalised learning, leisure reading and homework support must all be accommodated, as must use by individuals, groups and whole classes. Librarians work with both students and staff, collaborating on curriculum delivery, advising on reading choices, supporting independent learning and matching recourses to needs. The extended schools agenda will extend their potential for formal and informal learning opportunities still further. Although ICT and access to online resources have already transformed the way libraries function, books and other print media remain relevant. Along with non-print media, such as CD’s and DVD’s, they are likely to remain An important facet of recourse provision for the foreseeable future and as such, whether logically arranged or enticingly displayed, need to be suitably accommodated.
With so many varied activities taking place, perhaps concurrently, sufficient space is vital. The recent Ofsted report -
‘Good School Libraries: making a difference to learning’ observes that “in the most effective primary and secondary schools visited, libraries and well trained specialist librarians had a positive impact on teaching and learning.”
However, while “the very best libraries visited provided excellent accommodation and managed to meet a wide range of demands from teachers and pupils”, some primary schools lacked a dedicated library area, while even secondary schools rarely had “enough space for the numbers of pupils or range of demands made on them.”
In the words of John Abbott (President, 21st Century Learning Initiative) – “the future belongs to those who know how to learn”.
Providing 21st Century schools with innovative, inspirational and above all, effective libraries will help to ensure a successful future for all our young children through to adulthood.
Building Schools For The Future Libraries - Design Criteria
Selection of the make and type of shelving :
- Flexibility
- Interchangeable shelving
- Adjustability
- Height of units
- Depth of shelves
- Safety features – stability, avoid sharp corners
- Mobility
- Possible of adding and/or extending at a later date
- Overall appearance
- Durability and finish
- Quality of specification
- Guarantees
- Timescale for delivery and installation
- Value for money / Best Value for Best Quality
- Quality of design and arrangement of shelving
- References from previous projects
Planning and layout of shelving :
- Allow for different types of stock
- Allow for possible future expansion
- Allow for different uses of the library
- Allow for safety and supervision considerations
- Allow for logical arrangement and flow of stock
- Allow for good signage and bookends
- Allow good circulation space throughout
- Allow sufficient tables and computer stations
- Allow good lighting, heating and glazing
“I don’t like libraries and I don’t like dealing with librarians. They say they want change, but what they want is what they had in the past.”
As information specialists, librarians embrace change with enthusiasm and are among the first to recognise the potential of modern technologies to revolutionise service management and delivery. However, when it comes to meshing functionality with innovation, they do sometimes find themselves at odds with architects and furniture design professionals. Assumptions about the role of the school library can result in the creation of areas that, although outwardly exciting and inspiring, make it difficult to exploit the library’s full potential. In recent years, PFI initiatives have seen the creation of new and refurbished libraries, some of which genuinely enhance and extend learning. Others are, however, less fit for purpose. Clearly there is scope for greater understanding between all stakeholders concerning the contribution of the school library to learning and teaching and the implications for library design.
While modern technologies mean that libraries are increasingly able to transcend their physical limits, a dedicated space, able to cater for a wide range of activities, remains a necessity. Successful school libraries not only function as learning and information hubs, but also support students’ personal development. Collaborative and independent research, personalised learning, leisure reading and homework support must all be accommodated, as must use by individuals, groups and whole classes. Librarians work with both students and staff, collaborating on curriculum delivery, advising on reading choices, supporting independent learning and matching recourses to needs. The extended schools agenda will extend their potential for formal and informal learning opportunities still further. Although ICT and access to online resources have already transformed the way libraries function, books and other print media remain relevant. Along with non-print media, such as CD’s and DVD’s, they are likely to remain An important facet of recourse provision for the foreseeable future and as such, whether logically arranged or enticingly displayed, need to be suitably accommodated.
With so many varied activities taking place, perhaps concurrently, sufficient space is vital. The recent Ofsted report -
‘Good School Libraries: making a difference to learning’ observes that “in the most effective primary and secondary schools visited, libraries and well trained specialist librarians had a positive impact on teaching and learning.”
However, while “the very best libraries visited provided excellent accommodation and managed to meet a wide range of demands from teachers and pupils”, some primary schools lacked a dedicated library area, while even secondary schools rarely had “enough space for the numbers of pupils or range of demands made on them.”
In the words of John Abbott (President, 21st Century Learning Initiative) – “the future belongs to those who know how to learn”.
Providing 21st Century schools with innovative, inspirational and above all, effective libraries will help to ensure a successful future for all our young children through to adulthood.
Building Schools For The Future Libraries - Design Criteria
Selection of the make and type of shelving :
- Flexibility
- Interchangeable shelving
- Adjustability
- Height of units
- Depth of shelves
- Safety features – stability, avoid sharp corners
- Mobility
- Possible of adding and/or extending at a later date
- Overall appearance
- Durability and finish
- Quality of specification
- Guarantees
- Timescale for delivery and installation
- Value for money / Best Value for Best Quality
- Quality of design and arrangement of shelving
- References from previous projects
Planning and layout of shelving :
- Allow for different types of stock
- Allow for possible future expansion
- Allow for different uses of the library
- Allow for safety and supervision considerations
- Allow for logical arrangement and flow of stock
- Allow for good signage and bookends
- Allow good circulation space throughout
- Allow sufficient tables and computer stations
- Allow good lighting, heating and glazing
