Advice (Facilities)

Library Media Specialists Speak About . . . Skills and Attitudes an Architect Needs to Work Collaboratively with Library Media Specialists.	Architects Speak about .... Skills and Attitudes a Library Media Specialist Needs to Work Collaboratively with Architects.
Ability to listen carefully Willingness to visit other library facilities with the library media specialist Understanding that the library media specialist is the expert on the library program and functions and how those translate into facility needs Understanding that the library program must be the driving factor in determining what the facility will look like Cooperative nature Flexibility Ability to keep in mind the age group of the primary library users	Ability to enjoy the process Energy to blend school and library activities Cooperative nature Knowledge about technology Open mind Organizational skills Ability to create a vision - project into the future "Laid back" nature; ability to "roll with it"
Planning & Design Considerations	Planning & Design Considerations
Build support for the library program long before the planning for a new facility begins Plan early - don't wait to be asked for input Read journals and books on planning facilities, attend workshops, and visit and talk with colleagues Seek input from a range of people in the school community, such as students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents Keep a notebook to organize all findings Base facility design on program needs Plan for flexibility for the future Include acoustic/sound treatment, particularly if your facility will have a high ceiling Plan for unobstructed supervision Meet ADA requirements Consider adjacency to areas, such as main office, computer labs, academic classrooms Include seating for different types of activities to occur simultaneously Include items (such as circulation desk, security system gate) in construction budget if furniture/equipment budget is limited	Public access A strong "front door" entrance Availability during non-school hours Handicapped accessibility, including handicapped toilet Central location within the school Computers, workstations and networking into classrooms Flexible furniture - tables and chairs Storage Flexible floor plan (no or few columns/walls) Flexibility to rearrange furniture to group activities Visual observation Program changes (for example, accommodating media presentations) Population changes Collection changes and growth Staffing changes Technology applications

Library Media Specialists Speak About .	Architects Speak About . . .
Check out school areas surrounding the library for potential problems (i.e. water leaks) Check references for furniture vendors regarding responsiveness to problems
Items You Don't Want to Overlook	Items You Don't Want to Overlook
Security system Plenty of electrical outlets, even in areas that may not need them initially Computer workstation space for staff and students Data outlets in all areas where computers may be used initially or in the future Sink(s) in workroom areas Telephone(s) Variety of types of seating, including some of each type for handicapped accessibility Ample shelving for expansion of collection in the future Lighting fixtures which provide adequate lighting parallel to and between stack areas Direct access to corridor from equipment storage area	Program space, including 30-student story hour space at elementary levels Broadcast television Cable television/ITV/ATM Photocopier(s) Circulation desk with visual observation through entire library Office adjacent to circulation desk Workroom with sink, counter, storage Storage room Multiple 120V/data outlets (walls & floor)
Tips on Working with Architects	What We Need from Library Media Specialists to Design a Facility that Meets Needs
If you have the opportunity to participate in selection of an architect, look for one who has an understanding of or appreciation for libraries, and one who you feel will listen to your ideas Be assertive with your architect; speak up, be clear about needs. Be persistent; if your needs are not heard the first time, describe them again. If you are not satisfied with some aspect of the design or decoration, ask to have it changed. Remember that the architect works for you. Take your architect to visit other libraries, particularly those which his/her firm has designed, so that he/she can hear both positive and negative feedback about the facilities. Don't assume anything! Learn to read blueprints (including lighting and electrical plans), check each set of new plans for changes, keep detailed notes and ask questions. Put needed changes in writing, date, and copy.	List of collection categories and count of books or materials in each category Description of program offerings (How may people use the library? How often? What support equipment and materials are needed?) List and description of storage requirements (items, sizes)