9 minute read
Upgrading your school library
By Heather Barker Vermeer
Industry Reporter
School librarians are juggling more roles and skills than ever and their domain, the school library, houses all manner of information, resources, and technology for learners as well as pedagogy-informed learning spaces to enrich every teacher’s lesson plan.
Of course, providing an adaptable, accommodating environment is the cornerstone of any good school library. So… where’s a good place to start if yours isn’t up to scratch?
Analyse your space, be flexible
Take stock of your library’s layout: It needs to be a welcoming environment for research, a place for students to sit comfortably and read, and a site for project collaboration and sharing. If your furnishings consist of standard fixed-leg, bulky rectangular library tables, they’ll remain rooted to the ground or need to be moved, with difficulty, to alter the configuration of the space. By opting for stackable or modular furniture, you can create a variety of configurations. Nesting and mobile flip tables make smart use of space, and reconfigurable seating helps to accommodate diverse set-ups, i.e., for debates, roundtable discussions, or small group projects.
Image supplied by Autex, RMIT University. Architect and Photography by Hayball.
Aesthetic improvement
An injection of colour is one way to make the library more appealing through furniture items, soft furnishings, wall colour or an oft-forgotten element, artwork! Old photographs can inspire a sense of connected heritage or hang some book cover poster art. Cull the clutter; weed out duplicate titles, tatty publications, and out-of-date collections to create space for new.
Collaboration
Liaise with your subject teachers to design usable library spaces within your facility. Include thoughtful zones within the overall floorplan. I.e., many school libraries repurpose storage space previously used for AV equipment or books to make a green-screen room for use as a project-based learning space. Activity zones and quiet zones help structure your space and aid different work styles.
A sound environment
Libraries have acoustic demands often not considered in the design and construction process. These issues can include noise intrusion from exterior and interior sources such as aircraft and building mechanical systems, excess reverberation in public spaces, speech communication, and intrusion from potentially adjoining spaces, such as meeting rooms. Wall-mounted acoustic panels let people in libraries have their peace and quiet by dampening, softening, and redistributing sounds. Unlike hard, reflective surfaces, acoustic panels can trap and contain sharp sound waves, reducing background noise and minimising echoes. Shelving can also be used to help block noise from more collaborative zones that might disturb a quiet study area. Position your cosy, quiet reading area away from the entrance and fiction collections, for example, where groups may loudly gather to choose books.
Expert tips for transforming library spaces
Michael Merlino is the Creative Manager at Resource Furniture and shared some dos and don’ts for schools planning a stellar library refurbishment. Among his list of don’ts, Michael said: “When incorporating teaching spaces, try to avoid central open areas, thoroughfares, or high ceiling spots, as sound will travel throughout the space. Also, don’t buy ad hoc! Manage budget constraints for new shelving and furniture with a space plan that allows you to stage fit-outs over time with a clear end-goal and with the confidence that everything will complement each other.”
Among his comprehensive list of dos, Michael advised schools to source a library shelving system that incorporates as much versatility as possible: “One shelf type should off er the fl exibility to create a fl at shelf or display shelf and have the capacity to house several diff erent face-out collections, such as picture books. “A mobile castor base is a must for double-sided shelving units as it provides the opportunity to reconfi gure displays as the needs for the space change.
"Also, I recommend schools utilise walls as much as possible to house collection in single sided shelving as it provides greater opportunity to open the fl oor space for potential breakout areas; if the collection size allows, try to include lower height double-sided shelving units as it provides a great line of sight and a nice open feel to the space.
"Of course, take advantage of any distinguishing features. If there are any windows with natural light or views to consider, use these as breakout or teaching spaces and try to avoid placing shelving units in ways that obstruct the view.”
Image supplied by Intraspace
Rob Jones is Autex Acoustic’s Technical and Development Manager, and let us know the key acoustic recommendations for school library upgrades…
“Libraries are no longer just a place to fi nd a book but increasingly function as multipurpose spaces. Group gatherings occur regularly and can include audio-visual events, and oft en occur alongside individuals studying and researching, making library acoustics more noticeable than ever. “As library use continues to diversify, their acoustic requirements will continue to complexify. For this reason, the placement and use of noise absorbing surfaces, ceiling structures, and absorptive furniture are important as they all work to help lower noise levels and att enuate noise fl ow via refl ections. Soft fl oor coverings help reduce noise-fl ow too. “Most importantly, however, acoustic planning and zoning is a key tool to help schools overcome acoustic challenges in relation to minimising noise disturbance. Zoning should consider how to maximise distance between areas where group or collaborative activities will take place. Lowering the ceiling heights with highly absorptive ceilings helps create a more intimate area, so that individuals within a group can hear each other without needing to raise their voices. These systems oft en can be suspended from the existing structures meaning litt le site works and minimal disruptions. Furniture can also create barriers to reduce direct noise fl ow throughout the area. “For retrofi t applications and the loss of dense bookshelves, wall surfaces can be treated with noise absorbing linings that doubleup as pinboards. Even old brick walls that refl ect most of the sound can be transformed into features with litt le building work.” Jeff rey Morren is the Managing Director of Intraspace and spoke with us about creating eff ective learning zones… “Using learning zones as a main strategy helps establish relationships between learners and their access to information.
Designing Innovative Learning Spaces
Transforming your library in 2022? IntraSpace works with education providers across Australia to design, supply, and install furnishing solutions that maximise the best use of library space. We can refresh floor layouts via flexible shelving solutions. With a wide range of products and services on offer, IntraSpace works with you to design and build effective learning spaces. IntraSpace offers complimentary consultation as an opportunity to workshop ideas with you on-site and generate plans for an innovative library space to suit your needs. Get in touch today!
Call 1800 800 573 or visit www.intraspace.com.au
The key is to understand user needs and how they best interact with information when it is presented in diff erent ways. An innovative library must create zones for collaboration, breakout, presentation, makerspace, and quiet. “The collaboration zone accommodates group work and projects-based learning. Ideally, larger tables and multiple seating can be easily moved around to reconfi gure the space as necessary. Access to power points should be handy for charging student devices. “The breakout zone should encourage interaction in a more relaxed atmosphere. This space is more casual and cosier with a lounge room feel to it. Soft seating and modular furniture are recommended.
“The presentation zone is a space for presentations and celebration. Also serves as a venue for guest talks and storytelling. The space needs to allow for lightweight seating to be moved around or for students sitt ing on the fl oor. “The makerspace zone hosts designing, play, and experimentation. Craft s, artwork, and shared assignments are done on larger tables, multiple seat capacity furniture and accessible shelving for materials. “The quiet zone should have privacy elements for students to work on their own. Although not completely enclosed, the concept should allow for individual study or just personal time. This is best served with individual seating, smaller tables, and privacy screens.” Stephanie Cox is a representative from Sebel and spoke with us about how to facilitate diff erent learning styles in a library space… “Soft seating, rather than standard chairs and tables, allows students to gravitate towards a more comfortable seating option. Booth seating can accommodate four to six students in a compact footprint. This is a productive use of fl oor space that provides privacy and high backrests help to improve acoustics. High tables are another great collaborative option, especially tables on castors so students and teachers can easily allow for groups of four to 10. The high tables can also be used with stools or as a standing table. Desktops fi nished in writeable or whiteboard material is another simple collaborative option.”
Most importantly: “Have an idea of what you want to take place in each area so that the furniture will allow for those activities… Incorporating shelving into the furniture sett ing also gives both a visual and practical solution to the area. Using diff erent shelving heights combined with clever design can easily zone areas into diff erent activity spaces.”
Additionally, she advised that “Soft seating combinations is a popular trend. Options include booth areas for board games and collaborative work and quiet reading areas with individual soft seating. Floor options in primary school libraries such as pillows or cushions are very popular. Flexible learning areas that can function as a classroom but can also adapt for special events or exhibitions is also a current trend.”
Image supplied by Sebel Furniture
Fun and Functional.
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