First things first....I really loved seeing the virtual tours of all of the other elementary libraries. Although I am very jealous, especially Prospect Sierra Elementary School, I loved the natural light and the small reading nooks! These videos did give me some great ideas for my library such as
I also like how Ray Palin's Prezi showed that a library remodel can be broken down into phases, so that the entire project cost is divided up. I guess I just thought you would have to do it all at once, but it does make the big projects much more manageable. This would also help prioritize the needs and the wants.
I also noticed how big of a part technology and media played in many of the new libraries. I know this is very important in the future and having these example of how other schools have set aside spaces to use the technology is very helpful. Another big thing I noticed is that librarians and the designers need to be innovative with the spaces they are creating. Sometimes something that seems impossible to plan, for example the Crisafulli Elementary School Library (which is a giant circular room), can still be turned into excellent learning centers with the proper planning and utilization of available space.
While I think that many libraries are poorly designed, I agree that one way to solve this problem is for librarians to be more active in the designing process. After all, they are the ones who knows how the space will be used and can offer up many great suggestions. While there are certain requirements and codes that have to be met, architects are not always the best ones to forsee how a library space will be used, their expertise is needed, but so is that of the professional who will be working there daily. Rolf Erikson states here that "Of course school libraries have a serious academic mission, but the academic mission is more likely to succeed and be fulfilled if we create social environments that are relevant and comfortable to today’s students. We can find a happy medium, and school librarians must steer this trend; it is not likely to come from administrators or architects."
I found Ray Palin's Prezi interesting. I would have loved to have heard him present on this topic as Cushing Academy is still an enormous topic of conversation. I have to say that I don't like the Prezi format very much.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, librarians are very often left out of the planning process and sometimes getting in means convincing the administrator that you need to be included.
I agree, Prezi is not for someone with motion sickness for sure!
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