ARCHITECT MEMO

To: Joseph Williams, Architect

From: Terri Barshay, Mintz Elementary School Media Specialist
Date: 4/23/17
Re: New Library Design Considerations

The Media Center of Mintz Elementary has been the heart of the school since its
opening in 1991. As an indispensable part of Mintzs educational program, the library
serves many functions by carrying out traditional library duties; by providing a gathering
and meeting space for presentations, educational fairs, and parental involvement; and
by collaborating with faculty. Because the media center is the epicenter for so many
crucial activities, planning its space is of the utmost importance. It is with great
excitement that we look forward to designing and moving into our new space.

Presently, the media center has been fortunate to have a large enough space to
accommodate the many needs of the school. With approximately 2,000 square feet, the
space is relatively open and has bookshelves lining each wall and several free-standing
bookshelves in one half of the library, providing ample storage for the librarys collection.
Another large section of the library has space for ten amply sized tables that can seat
four to six people each. This has proven to be extremely valuable when having meetings
and educational presentations. A large check out desk is centered on the back wall
directly across from the librarys entrance, allowing the librarian to see students and
teachers as they enter and to supervise the entire library without visual impediments.
The library currently has three computers set up near the checkout desk for students to
complete their RP testing, enabling them to be close enough to ask for help logging onto
the system or to ask for help regarding any technical issues. The library has sizable
windows framing the entrance and its adjoining wall, allowing students to view all the
events taking place within the library and also allowing natural, bright light to fill the
library. These positive aspectsmulti-functional space, natural light and good visibility
of the facilityare aspects we would like to replicate in our new space.

Besides the library functioning as an educational meeting place, it also has several
nooks with bean bag chairs, benches, and floor cushions for students who would like to
have quiet reading time. The walls are covered in beautiful murals, providing a cheerful
and stimulating atmosphere for young patrons. These are additional elements we would
like to carry over to our new building.

At the moment, the librarys main drawback is the lack of student technology. While
Mintz has two computer labs which the librarian is responsible for, those computer labs
are in separate rooms that are not at all close to the library. Because of this, those labs
are not accessible to students visiting the library. Mintz does have laptop carts, but they
are stored away and not within easy access for student use within the library, once
again limiting students use of technology.

Currently, because the library space is so open, it is difficult to have multiple activities
occurring simultaneously. If there is a presentation occurring in one part of the library,
the library often has to close to classes or students who might be distracting to the
event. This interferes with the librarys goal to meet multiple needs.

As we consider what the future will hold for the school and for the media center in
particular, there are several features that would be extremely useful for our new media
center:

General Space Arrangement:

1. The new library space needs a large open space for events, book fairs, and whole
classroom lessons, and large group learning. The space should not be empty, but
should have tables and chairs set up for when students need to be seated and have
workspace. However, as we move into the new space, having tables that are on wheels
and which can be moved easily will allow for flexibility of the space and for creating
room for book fairs, science fairs, and award ceremonies. It will also make the set-up
process go much more quickly and smoothly. This larger space should have
bookshelves on wheels to form a type of border to the space, giving a sense of
enclosure, but being spaced enough to allow visibility into the space. These
bookshelves can be moved to open or enclose the space depending upon the needs of
the event. An overhead projector or smartboard with display capabilities should be set
up against the back wall in this area to display lessons, presentations, or videos.
Available wall space should be lined with bookshelves except for the wall on which the
smartboard and whiteboards are located. There should be standard outlets spaced
every 6 feet along the wall and floor outlets located near the area with the
smartboard/presentation area. It would be best for this section of the library to have
vinyl, durable flooring that can withstand moving bookshelves and the possibility of food
spills when the area is being used for family nights or events in which snacks and drinks
are served.

2. In addition to the open space for large groups, the rest of the library space needs to
incorporate smaller sections for specific uses. This will be done through the use of
modular, 3-4-foot-high bookshelves to create specialty areas such as reading nooks, a
periodical section, and a lego makerspace. All of these bookshelves need to have
wheels in order to provide flexibility. This area should be carpeted with typical
institutional carpeting in an appealing color. These areas will be where children will be
spending much of their reading time, so the space should be feel warmer and cozier
than the presentation/event section of the library.

3. In order to offer the opportunity for the librarian and staff to provide proper
supervision in the library, a circular information/checkout desk should be centrally
located and equipped with at least 2-3 computers for check out and general use
purposes. The desk should be large enough for two people to have dedicated
workspace and be comfortable and not overly crowded. t

4. After designing this space between a larger open space, and smaller, more cozy
areas, the library also needs enclosed classrooms and work spaces for more focused
learning and work. These areas should be connected towards the back of the library
space and be windowed in order to be seen at all times.

Computer Area in Main Library: There is a need for a small computer area for student
use. One of the sectioned areas in the library will need tables and 8 computers which
students can use for homework, research, RP testing, or the use of educational games
during their free time. This area should also have at least 3 large, plush, cushioned
chairs for students using iPods or iPads with headphones to listen to audiobooks. This
area should have multiple outlets, preferably equipped with 4 sockets per outlet box and
spaced evenly throughout the area. A charging station should be available for the
librarys wireless devices.

Language Lab: Another focused area in the library will feature the librarys bilingual
materials. Mintz elementary has many English Language Learners and this area will
serve the population of students who are acquiring English conversational and reading
skills. The collection will be predominately made up of bilingual English/Spanish
materials, but it will also have supplemental foreign language material. This area will
need shelving for the bilingual collection, a smartboard and white board for instructional
use, 2-3 small tables with chairs, and comfortable reading chairs. This area will be open
to all children, not only English Language Learners.

Reading Areas: Throughout the carpeted area of the library there should be reading
areas for students in groupings of 2-3 plush, oversized chairs, bean bag chairs, and
small tables. These areas will be created through the use of modular bookshelves on
wheels, which will create quiet areas through their arrangement. They should be located
near popular areas, such as the near the fiction sections, periodicals, and new
book/display areas.

Computer Lab: After utilizing the main area of the library to meet many of the librarys
functions, there is still a need for a full computer lab. One of the connected classrooms
mentioned in the section describing the arrangement of spaces within the library will
serve as a computer lab capable of housing 30 computers and desks necessary for
classroom curriculum purposes and testing. This room should be fully enclosed and yet
have many large windows that allow visibility from the main library area. At the front of
this classroom there should be a smartboard or overhead projector from which teachers
can demonstrate actions on their computers for the students to see. Additionally, 2 white
boards should line the same wall as the smartboard. There should be ample floor and
wall outlets for connecting all technological components. This space should be at least
750 sq. ft.

Office Space/Planning Space: Next to the windowed computer lab, there should be a
combined office space and teacher resource area. The teacher resource area should
have enough space for two rectangular tables and chairs for creating and planning
purposes. This area will be where laminators, paper cutters, planning materials, and
professional development materials are stored. Available wall should have counter
space and cabinets to store the necessary materials for the librarys operations and
teacher planning. This area should be at least 400 sq.ft

There should be at least two bathrooms for the use of teachers, library staff, and
volunteers. Off of this space, there should be an enclosed office for the librarian with a
desk, filing cabinets, a computer, and printer. The office should have a large window
which looks out into the library area and which can be covered with blinds should the
librarian need privacy while working. The office space should be a minimum of 100 sq.
ft.
Communications Room: The morning show is an important part of the schools routine
and allows students to practice leadership and communication skills. The last enclosed
space in the back of the library should be dedicated to video recording the morning
announcements. It should have the back wall painted in green to be used for effects,
should have the proper lighting and workspace for editing video. There should be space
enough for a small table for students/faculty should the choose to be seated when
recording, but also enough space to move it when open space is needed.

Dcor: The library should be an appealing space. Skylights should be placed evenly in
the ceiling to allow natural light to fill the library, especially the sections of the library that
are further back from the entrance. The color scheme should be calming, but not boring
with the use of educational and literary-themed murals and paintings throughout the
space. The library entrance and the outside wall should have an abundance of windows
for visibility and for using natural light. However, there should vertical blinds or shades
that can be closed if the sun shines too brightly at certain times of the day or if there is a
desire to darken the space somewhat for video presentations.

We are looking forward to our exciting new space and all of the ways that it will help us
meet the needs of our students, parents, faculty, and community. Enacting these
changes will allows to implement our vision and mission for Mintzs library. As we work
towards this together, we ask that you keep us informed and involved should any
changes need to be made to our plan. Thank you for your effort to make our new school
and library be as dynamic as possible.

Sincerely,
Terri Barshay, School Media Specialist for Mintz Elementary