New Design Layout & Explanation
Since the host school’s library seemed to need minimal alteration and seemed to function efficiently, a whole new layout was developed. Instead of designing a primary level media center, however, a center for a slightly older group of students was devised. Based upon some of the existing elements of the primary school’s center as well as the suggestions of alterations, the design for an elementary school media center was established.
One main alteration that was made was the development of a “reader’s area.” Based upon some of the comments made by some of the primary students, an area in which students could comfortably read their library books was developed. Also placed in this area is a showcase of holiday or current event books. This will hopefully help the students keep up-to-date with the current issues of the month. Also, a display is also setup near the entrance of the library to showcase a particular children’s author of the month. This may be established by the librarian, a teacher, or even a student. This hopefully will engage the interest of students who enter the media center.
Another fundamental design of the media center was to isolate the tables and furniture used for whole group and small group discussions. This is so that whole classes can use the library at a time. These tables may also be used for intervention or specialized testing services.
Based upon the primary librarian’s suggestion, a larger computer station was added. This is also based on the assumption that elementary students will be doing more research than primary students. For this reason the reference area of the library was also extended.
Other new areas added to this design are the die cut station as well as the broadcasting center. The die cut station also contains a laminator as well as a poster maker so that teacher can easily use the library to enhance their own classrooms. Also, the broadcasting center is used for the morning announcements.
The most noticeable change within the media center plan; however, is the remodeling of the conference room into a computer lab for students use. The conference room in the original model was once used for grade level meetings during the week. Now that the school only houses pre-kindergarten through second grade, instead of fifth grade, there are now extra classrooms on each designated hallway. These meetings are now held in these resources rooms and not in the library. Since the conference room is no longer used, the teachers and students suggested that the room be turned into a functional computer lab. Seeing as there is only one other computer lab in the school, teachers could sign up to use this lab for specific seminars, instruction, or activities. Also, since the room is closed in, a class could use this computer lab without disrupting the rest of the media center.
Finally, while more regular books shelves were added, a special storage room for teacher resources is located in the back of the library. It seems that the library is becoming more responsible for storing items such as extra teacher guides and textbooks. This is the best way to keep them separate from the other media materials.
One main alteration that was made was the development of a “reader’s area.” Based upon some of the comments made by some of the primary students, an area in which students could comfortably read their library books was developed. Also placed in this area is a showcase of holiday or current event books. This will hopefully help the students keep up-to-date with the current issues of the month. Also, a display is also setup near the entrance of the library to showcase a particular children’s author of the month. This may be established by the librarian, a teacher, or even a student. This hopefully will engage the interest of students who enter the media center.
Another fundamental design of the media center was to isolate the tables and furniture used for whole group and small group discussions. This is so that whole classes can use the library at a time. These tables may also be used for intervention or specialized testing services.
Based upon the primary librarian’s suggestion, a larger computer station was added. This is also based on the assumption that elementary students will be doing more research than primary students. For this reason the reference area of the library was also extended.
Other new areas added to this design are the die cut station as well as the broadcasting center. The die cut station also contains a laminator as well as a poster maker so that teacher can easily use the library to enhance their own classrooms. Also, the broadcasting center is used for the morning announcements.
The most noticeable change within the media center plan; however, is the remodeling of the conference room into a computer lab for students use. The conference room in the original model was once used for grade level meetings during the week. Now that the school only houses pre-kindergarten through second grade, instead of fifth grade, there are now extra classrooms on each designated hallway. These meetings are now held in these resources rooms and not in the library. Since the conference room is no longer used, the teachers and students suggested that the room be turned into a functional computer lab. Seeing as there is only one other computer lab in the school, teachers could sign up to use this lab for specific seminars, instruction, or activities. Also, since the room is closed in, a class could use this computer lab without disrupting the rest of the media center.
Finally, while more regular books shelves were added, a special storage room for teacher resources is located in the back of the library. It seems that the library is becoming more responsible for storing items such as extra teacher guides and textbooks. This is the best way to keep them separate from the other media materials.
