Maine School Library Facilities HandbookGENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Table of Contents | Preface | Considerations | Essential Areas | Comparison Tables | Sq Footage | Detailed Descriptions | Advice from the Field | Places to visit | A: Accessibility | B: Shelving Requirements | C: Glossary | Useful Resources | Committee |

LOCATION

     As an integral part of the total school program, the library media facility should be centrally located and easily accessible from all instructional areas of the school.  A nearby elevator or ramp in multi-level buildings will facilitate access by the physically handicapped, as required in the ADA regulations, and will simplify transportation of audiovisual equipment.  Entrances and exits should be strategically placed, making resources more accessible and inviting to patrons, and allowing transport of equipment directly to corridors.   Consideration should be given to the proximity to noisy areas such as the cafeteria, gym, music or student gathering areas.  With excellent acoustical features, placement near high volume student areas may be preferable.  A location that allows for future expansion is desirable. In the event this facility will be used for community access when school is not in session, provisions should be made for public entry from exterior areas and parking lots, as well as easy access to rest room facilities within the secured area.

LAYOUT

       Flexibility in design is essential to allow a multiplicity of activities and to accommodate future curriculum and technological changes.   The design should simplify supervision while recognizing efficient flow of traffic, to minimize disturbances.  Control of exits is particularly important; the minimum number of exits required for safety and smooth traffic flow is recommended.  Efficient design enables effective delivery of the program

ACOUSTICS

Acoustical treatments are a vital element in any library media facility design.  These treatments are used within the facility as a deterrent to an accumulation of noise factors (from patrons, equipment, fans), and as insulation from external noise factors (cafeteria, lobby and music areas.) To protect from ambient noise, as well as fans, equipment, and bells, consideration should be given to treatments in any area where audio-visual recordings will be taking place. Conference rooms, work and instructional areas should be soundproofed from the main facility.

        The colors of the walls, fabrics, carpeting, other flooring, wood stain, paint and furniture should work together creating a unified look, so the facility is visually appealing and has a welcoming environment.  It is the visual appeal of the facility that will add to its success.

WALLS

        All walls should be constructed of sound-absorbent materials finished in muted, neutral colors to add visual appeal.  For reasons of supervision, single floor designs are highly recommended.  The facility design should eliminate any areas which cannot be seen from a single location.  To enhance visual supervision, walls between patron areas and support services areas should include observation windows placed strategically.  Allowing for shelving and carpeting, the windows should begin at least 45" from the floor. 

         Recording studios should be sound proofed and lined with sound absorbing materials to provide for better recording, without bells or intercoms.  Television studios should have one wall painted light blue to provide a backdrop for filming.

FLOORING

          All floors should be finished with aesthetically appealing, sound absorbent materials.   Static free, high quality, commercial grade carpeting is recommended for most areas.  Acoustical vinyl or tile flooring, which is easy to care for and non-static, is recommended for media production and project areas, audiovisual equipment maintenance and storage areas, studio, darkroom, electrical service area, media reception and distribution areas where cables and wiring will be present, major traffic pattern aisles, and areas where running water will be in use.  Antistatic matting may provide additional protection where needed.

           In the circulation desk area, flooring should have extra padding.  In the main entrance to the library media center, flooring may be made of other nonskid, easy to care for, attractive and durable materials; such as ceramic or quarry tile.  Where equipment is moved on rolling carts, flooring should be continuous.

         Wherever possible, neutral color flooring should be used.  Dark flooring is harder to keep clean.  While molding gives the walls a finished look, molding behind shelving can create gaps where items can disappear.

          It is advisable to consult with carpet dealers and manufacturers for information on problems that can arise from fumes associated with new carpeting and carpet cleaning fluids, which may trigger asthma and other allergic reactions in some individuals.

CEILINGS

             In all areas the ceiling should be finished with sound absorbent materials, such as acoustical tile.  Ceiling material should be light and bright.  Care should be taken in the placement of light fixtures, skylights and roof windows.  Skylights and/or roof windows should be placed so that visibility will not be impaired, for example in the placement of a wall mounted screen.  Ceiling height should be at least eight feet to allow for full size bookcases.  Architectural design and/or concern for energy usage may also affect ceiling height.

CLIMATE CONTROL

           A climate control system for heat and air is essential for the entire library media center, maintaining a temperature range at a maximum level of 70-77 degrees F. and a humidity of 60%. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, from cross-ventilation to entire climate control systems.  It is important that the system for the library media center be separate, ensuring that temperature and humidity can be regulated independently, and allowing the facility to be used when school is not in session.  When the system is not in use, operational windows ensure an exchange of fresh air and provide cross ventilation.  Proper temperature and humidity are crucial for suitable storage and preservation of materials and equipment.

ELECTRICAL DESIGN

            The electrical design of a library facility must be an integral and early part of the planning.  The number of electrical outlets installed in a library must be sufficient to meet present, as well as future, needs.  Ample outlets should be included in all workspace areas, the circulation counter area, wet carrel areas, parts of the facility in which equipment will be used, and in storage or other areas which have the potential to be converted to workspaces in the future.  Even though outlets may not be used in certain areas at present, it is smart to install more outlets than you think you'll need.  For example, consider locating outlets on walls that may initially have wall shelving.  Future use of the wall space may include an activity where electricity will be necessary.  Consider special items that may require electricity, such as a security system gate.  The number of outlets installed must be sufficient to allow equipment to be plugged directly into the outlet, rather than relying on the use of outlet strips or extension cords.  The design of the facility should specify exactly where outlets need to be located, including height from the floor.  Do not rely on a plan which specifies a particular number of outlets per linear feet, since this leaves contractors the option of installing banks of outlets in one spot, rather than spacing them appropriately around a room.

              Workspace areas where built-in counters will be utilized, such as the circulation area, should include an electrical strip installed along the full length of the wall or back of the counter.    Worktables located against a wall should have outlets installed above the work surface for convenience. Equipment use areas and/or computer stations located in the center of a room must have outlets installed that are flush with the floor.  Switches and electric controls located on walls should be located conveniently, but care must be taken so that they are not hidden by shelving which may be installed at a later date.  Concentrate these switches in a vertical arrangement in order to conserve wall space.

          Inform the electrical engineer early in the planning process about items that draw a lot of power and may require separate circuits, such as a laminator. Determine peak loads and interference, which may affect electrical needs.  The need for surge protection and backup power supplies should be considered.

COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

            It is understood that a separate telephone line is essential to the effective operation of the library media center.

            The networks discussed below address the internal communication networks of the library facility, although such systems are generally linked to building data networks and local cable television networks.

Television Distribution

              The television distribution system uses multiple channels to distribute cable and/or satellite programs, play back video programs, and provide for local origination of programs throughout the building.  This system should originate in the library facility and extend to all classrooms and other instructional areas throughout the building.  Cabling should be installed which connects all areas of the library, administrative areas, the auditorium, the gymnasium, the cafeteria and instructional areas to the "head end" of the system.  The cable jack(s) in each of these areas should be installed on the wall based on the location of the television monitor receiving the signal (for example, on a cart or wall mounted). Consideration should be given to the number and placement of cable and/or satellite drops that will come into the building at the "head end" of this system.   The design and installation of the television distribution system should be completed in consultation with local cable company representatives and those who specialize in this area in order to acquire a system which meets the needs of the individual school program and takes into account different wiring methods and special equipment needed such as modulators, amplifiers, and splitters.  Special features, such as a media retrieval system (which enables teachers in classrooms to use a telephone or computer to remotely access and control infrared devices, such as VCRs, which are kept in the library) may be planned for the building and should be incorporated into the planning of the television distribution system.

Data Network

             The rapid growth in the use of networked computers has made planning for data networks an integral and very important part of designing library facilities.  Data networks must be designed to enable simple and flexible expansion of the network in the future.  It is essential to have an expert in data networks plan a system that will meet the needs of the library.  Planning, as well as installing, data cabling requires a different set of knowledge and skills than that for electrical wiring.  Data network planners should consider the amount and type of data which will be sent over the network, the speed at which it needs to be transmitted, surge protection, and interference which may impact data transmission.  The type and quality of cable and equipment used are key to the success of the network.  In areas where cable will be run through conduit, it is crucial to ensure that the conduit will be large enough to handle future wiring needs.  Sufficient data jacks must be installed for present, as well as future, needs.  Consideration should be given in the planning stage to locate both electrical outlets and phone jacks near where data jacks will be installed.

ADA GUIDELINES

              Compliance with ADA guidelines is required for any new or retrofitted school library facility.  Title II and Title III of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, which apply to all public institutions, provide that the same library services must be offered to people with disabilities as are offered to people without them. All of the ramifications of this provision cannot be explained in this short space.  To further complicate matters, new regulations and interpretations of existing regulations appear on a regular basis.  Three of these to be familiar with are the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the January 13, 1998 Accessible Regulations for Children's Environments, and expected revisions to the 1988 Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals Act.  The library media specialist should work closely with the architect, and/or ADA and adaptive technology consultants to make the most appropriate design decisions to provide for the needs of the disabled library user. Librarians may find the resources in Appendix A useful. Physical access, adaptive technologies, and alternative information formats, the primary categories to consider, are closely interrelated and should be seen as part of a whole because decisions in one category will impact each of the others.

FURNISHINGS

            The quality and design of the furnishings chosen will have a strong impact on the learning environment. Each area of the library media center has specific requirements for a wide range of furnishings including but not limited to tables, chairs, periodical display, seating for classes, as well as seating for areas of quiet study and research. Suggestions for specific types of furniture for each area of the library media center are included in this guide in the section Areas Essential for All Library Media Facilities which begins on pp

 

SHELVING

                Shelving choices will depend on the age range of patrons, the materials the shelves will hold and where the shelving is to be located.  Care should be taken to select quality shelving that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but functional and durable. Refer to Areas Essential for All Library Media Facilities for types of shelving for different library areas.  To calculate the amount of shelving needed for the book collection, refer to Appendix B.

ERGONOMICS

     Library Media Specialists and their patrons are not as prone to Cumulative Trauma Disorders as others who work all day at a computer might be, but care should still be taken to avoid potential risks in the following areas:                              

ENVIRONMENT

Creating an environment that is welcoming and pleasing to library patrons and staff will enhance the success of your library program. 

TopMaine Association of School Libraries Facilities Committee
copyright 1999