Kristen Albert

ILS 562
Professor Shteirman
19 November 2014
LMC Redesign: North End Middle School
Redesigning the library media center space at North End Middle School proved
challenging for a number of reasons. To start, the space is an odd U shape. This provides a lot
of space to work with. However, redesigning the space is challenging, as much of the space
seems to already be divided up due to the layout of the school. Furthermore, much of the media
center space is shared. There are classrooms whose only entrances are through the media
center. Because of this, there is generally always some traffic through the media center. This
made creating a distraction free instruction space particularly challenging.

Despite these

challenges, I believe the library media center space can be used to its fullest potential with some
modifications.

It is my hope that this redesign utilizes the space so that users can have

instructional, collaborative and learning experiences where they are enabled to think critically,
creatively, and ethically (AASL, 66).
This redesign coincides with Guideline 2.3, Building the Learning Environment:
Learning Space of AASLs A 21st Century Approach to School Library Evaluation because it
seeks to provide space and seating that enhance and encourage technology use, leisure reading
and browsing and create an environment that is conducive to active and participatory
learning ( AASL, 65-66).

The redesign applies AASL standards because it enables students to:

use technology tools in the computer lab and instructional area (AASL 1.1.8).
collaborate with others through small groups set ups in the instruction space and meeting
area (AASL 1.1.9, 3.1.2).
Pursue personal and aesthetic growth, read and appreciate a range of literature through
the collection area, reading lounge and study are (AASL 4.1.1, 4.2.4, 4.3.3).

BEFORE DESIGN
Current design of the media center features a meeting area, a circulation area, instruction
are, computer area and reading lounge area. Issues with this design include the blending of the
reading lounge area with the computer area, which causes a lot of distractions during class time.
Furthermore, computers and instruction space are on two different sides of the room, creating a
disjointed feeling between these two elements.

Circulation Area

Computer and Reading Area

Collection Area

Meeting Area

REDESIGN
Redesign of the space entails altering the circulation/collection area slightly to help
facilitate browsing for the students. Furthermore, I created a study/ independent work space
where students can quietly work on assignments and projects. The layout of the computers as a
wall seeks to block this space from traffic to other classrooms and provide fewer distractions.
The reading lounge area is close to the collection, but far enough away from other areas to
remain private and distraction free. I combined the instructional space and computer space, and
added a SmartBoard, to help facilitate instruction in the media center. The setup of the tables

and computers will help encourage small groups and collaboration among students. With the
addition of a temporary wall, or some type of divider, this space can be blocked off from traffic
and distraction free. I added some of the couches from the previous reading area to the meeting
area to help the meeting area meet different types of needs. Not every meeting that occurs is
going to need a projector and lots of tables. This space can also be used as a secondary reading
area, or another space for class small group discussions.

Works Cited

AASL. 21st-century Approach to School Librarian Evaluation. Chicago: American Association

of School Librarians, 2012. Print.
AASL. Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action. Chicago: American Association of
School Librarians, 2012. Print.