Agreed - I'm in the process of designing my new library. My suggestion is
to have students participate in a survey. I left paper surveys around the
library for a couple of weeks last year and got some great feedback. The #1
request (contradictory to what we adults seem to think) was for a
quiet/silent place to work. #2 was a place to sleep (nap pods - too
expensive, not happening). Eating and collaboration were on the list but
not at the top. I think it's important to keep in mind that the students
who most need/want a quiet place to study are those who are least likely to
ask fellow students to quiet down. My biggest goal is to balance the
collaboration needs with the need for an enclosed and dedicated quiet
space. As I frequently remind the kids, they can socialize and eat anywhere
else on campus that they'd like - fortunately we are also building a new
student center and cafeteria just downstairs from the library so perhaps
kids will feel less need to turn the library into their private lounge.
(Just had to evict a very noisy group so this is on my mind!)
Cathy
---------
Cathy Rettberg, Head Librarian
Menlo School
Atherton, CA
http://library.menloschool.org
Morris Award 2017 committee member
busily reading secret Morris-eligible titles!
On Thu, May 5, 2016 at 9:19 AM, Ann Lane <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
We have students that want a very quiet area to study in, we have others
who need to collaborate on a group project or who need to talk quietly and
ask questions, and we have the socializers - many of whom want to snack. I
think you need areas for all three groups!
On Wed, May 4, 2016 at 4:46 PM, R. Kotlar <rebekahkotlar@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello all,
I get to create the physical plan for our new library/media center.
The two large rooms already exist, separated by double doors.
I am keeping Christina Wenger's survey in mind.
If you were starting from scratch, what would your dream library / media
center include? (MakerSpace is going in a different location).
What 'zones' would you include?
Throw anything at me :)
Rebekah Kotlar
Librarian
California Crosspoint High School
Alameda, CA
--
Ann Lane
Librarian, Saint Francis High School
