Houpt 1

Kelly Houpt

SLM 502

Facilities Design Project

Personal Philosophy

I believe knowledge and skills grown out of personal curiosity have the

deepest roots and the greatest impacts on our own future learning. The

Learning Commons of any school should be an integral component of that

growth. It should consist of flexible spaces that allow the Learning Commons to

be a Library, Wonder Lab, and Makerspace all at once or one at a time.

The librarian is a facilitator who uses questioning to help students

determine their own needs. The Learning Commons is where students’ passions

are ignited through the books they pick up, the ideas they explore digitally, and

the products they create.

The librarian helps every student find their reading passion through the

selection of the perfect novel or picture book. The librarian is the heart of the

Learning Commons and shares her excitement for reading. The library media

specialist helps students and staff find their reading and learning passions in

order to grow the deepest roots.

Washington County Public Schools Library Media Program Vision

The school library media program is an integral part of student learning

and achievement. It has a central place in the educational process and

 Houpt 2

provides all students and staff with equitable and timely access to ideas and

information.

Through the school library media curriculum, library media specialists

empower students and staff to be enthusiastic readers, lifelong learners, and

responsible citizens in the information age.

Washington County Public Schools Library Media Program Mission

The mission of the school library media program is to ensure that students

and staff are effective users of ideas and information. The school library media

specialist (SLMS) empowers students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers,

skillful researchers, and ethical users of information by:

• collaborating with educators and students to design and teach engaging

learning experiences that meet individual needs.

• instructing students and assisting educators in using, evaluating, and

producing information and ideas through active use of a broad range of

appropriate tools, resources, and information technologies.

• providing access to materials in all formats, including up-to-date, high-

quality, varied literature to develop and strengthen a love of reading.

• providing students and staff with instruction and resources that reflect

current information needs and anticipate changes in technology and

education.
 Houpt 3

• providing leadership in the total education program and advocating for

strong school library media programs as essential to meeting local, state,

and national education goals.

This information is taken from Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (AASL, 1998).

School Description

Emma K. Doub Elementary for the Integration of the Arts and Technology

was built in 1967 and has approximately 320 students enrolled in pre-

kindergarten through fifth grade. Approximately 100 students are enrolled as

part of a magnet program. Most of these students are from out of district.

Without the magnet program, our school would qualify as a Title I school. Three

portable classrooms are required to meet the needs of our growing population.

A one to one iPad initiative has been implemented in kindergarten

through fifth grade. Emma K. Doub is an Apple Distinguished School. Our

school’s motto is, “We challenge, connect, and create to achieve. Students

use iPads and other technology to regularly collaborate and complete projects

in a digitally-driven environment, focusing on problem solving, critical thinking,

creativity, collaboration, innovation and communication. Students engage in

online learning communities and are offered opportunities for choice in tools

and formats suited to their individual learning styles. All students experience arts

and technology infusion within their classrooms and through integration blocks

built into each encore teacher’s schedule. Students specifically selected for the
 Houpt 4

magnet program have been identified through a rigorous screening process

and have special aptitudes for and interests in art, music, physical education,

technology and/or theater.

Library Facility Design

The open-space library currently has five-foot high bookshelves on three

sides to define the perimeter of the main space. Bulkhead walls begin

approximately 4 feet above the shelving or 9 feet above the floor. There are four

large entrances established by breaks in the shelving leaving the space open to

three sets of high traffic hallways and four exterior doors leading to the

playground and portable classrooms. There are no bulletin boards and the

height of the book shelves makes the tops too high for effective displays and

signage. An additional space that was a computer lab currently serves as a

makerspace. Windows separating the main space were removed several years

ago. Three-foot-high, built-in shelves divide the makerspace from the main

space.

While I know I am stating the obvious, my dream library redesign would

include walls and doors. Since I have already consulted with facilities

management, I know my dream is beyond the parameters of any possible

redesign options (Formanack 2). As a result, I had to shift my focus to things I can

change. I can update the research area, add an informal reading area,

improve the instructional area, enhance the production area, and maximize the

administration area.
 Houpt 5

I am happy with the existing color scheme. The walls above the perimeter

shelving are painted an apple green. The wall between the main space and the

makerspace is painted purple with our school’s motto painted in large, white

letters. The flooring in the main space is blue carpeting. The makerspace is

painted a bright blue. The flooring in the makerspace is off-white tile. The

redesign will incorporate the same palette.

Currently, the digital research area consists of two computers attached to

collaboration station tables with 5 cushioned, green and blue fabric stools at

each table. As a result of our school’s 1:1 iPad initiative in kindergarten through

fifth grade and access to 50 MacBooks housed in the makerspace, having two

designated stations is adequate. Signage featuring databases and login

information will be displayed on the counter. This area allows students working in

small groups to more easily conduct research together and share individual

work through the use of the larger monitors. While collaborative work is

facilitated by apps such as Google Docs and Slides, the ability to see something

created on an individual’s iPad can be challenging. To overcome this

challenge, students are able to AirServe their iPad screens to the monitors.

Adding dry erase surfaces to the table tops will provide choice for students who

prefer not to brainstorm or plan digitally.

 Houpt 6

Item Description and Source

Collaboration Station Table, Monitor, Mac Mini,

and Stools

Source: EKD Learning Commons

We currently have a read aloud area with an area rug and wall-mounted

television screen powered by a Mac Mini for presentation and screen sharing.

This area could benefit from comfortable seating and a white board for

recording students’ ideas and sharing objectives. Six bean bag ottomans will be

added. The height of the ottomans will allow students in the read aloud area to

be at the approximate height of students who may be seated in wheelchairs as

well as provide seating for students who are physically unable to sit on the floor

(Hart 19). These ottomans will make the space more inviting and provide

comfort for students when the area shifts from whole group read aloud to an

informal reading area. Four additional ottomans and a smaller rug will be added
 Houpt 7

on the other side of the space to create a second informal reading area in front

of the featured book shelves.

Item Description and Source

Existing Television, Lego Wall, Carpet, and

Wheeled Storage Table

Source: EKD Learning Commons

Fatboy Point Soft Seating 13-1/4"H x 20"W

• dark purple, grass green, icy blue

• PVC-coated nylon for water resistance

and easy cleaning

Source: Demco

Carpets for Kids® Read to Dream© Pattern Rug

• 6'W x 4'D

Source: Demco

The instructional area currently has large, wooden tables and tall plastic

chairs. This furniture is outdated and oversized for our current population. When

the furniture was purchased, the school only housed grades 2 through 5. Since

then, we have added first grade, kindergarten, and pre-kindergarten over the
 Houpt 8

course of three years. Replacing the tables with smaller, mobile tables will allow

for more flexible group arrangements as needs change within the space.

Adjustable tables will accommodate students in wheel-chairs. Smaller,

stackable chairs appropriate for our students while still accommodating staff for

meetings and professional development will make the space more inviting for all

stakeholders (Formanack 3).

Item Description and Source

Smith System™ Elemental™ Tables - Square

• 36” square tables with apple green legs and

edge bands

• casters will allow flexible grouping and

arrangement of furniture for varied tasks

• these tables will accommodate students and

teachers

Source: Demco

Smith System™ Flavors™ Stack Chairs

• 14"H Seat

• apple green

Source: Demco
 Houpt 9

Existing Motto

Source: EKD Learning Commons

The production area of the library consists of a makerspace and small

recording area. An existing Lego Robotics challenge table was recently fitted

with a removable veneer top to provide a large work surface that is easy to

clean and encourages creativity (Barack 3). Adjustable stools for use at the

table will be added so that students can stand or sit while working. Clear,

labeled bins will be used on the existing shelves and clear storage containers

with wheels placed under the Lego table will provide needed organization for

the varied consumable materials.

Item Description and Source

Existing Makerspace Table

Source: EKD Learning Commons

 Houpt 10

Smith System Oodle Seating

• each consists of 3 stacked stools that can be

taken apart to adjust the height

• a wobble bottom provides for movement as

students work

• apple green, cerulean blue

The circulation and administration area currently consists of a stand-up

cart, laptop, wired scanner, a book return bin, and 3 large metal cabinets. This

single check-out station cart is too tall for use as a self-checkout. The book return

bin is actually a repurposed recycle bin. This area will be maximized by adding

two sit and stand adjustable desks with wheels. These desks can be lowered to

26” or raised to 41”. The ADA recommends that tables should be between 27”

and 36” tall to accommodate students with disabilities (29). Wheels on the desks

will allow them to be rolled out of the way when not in use providing more

space for flexible seating and grouping within the space.

Item Description and Source

Smith System™ Sit & Stand Student Desks

Source: Demco
 Houpt 11

Existing Metal Storage Cabinets

• 3 units

• supply storage including robotics materials

Source: Demco

Overall, display space is needed for student work and to display materials.

Formanack states that, “Showcasing student work and promoting library

materials are critical to a program’s success” (3). Adding simple tack strips to the

bulkhead above the shelving will add a student work display area that will be

visible to all as they enter the space. Additional movable shelving added to the

fiction section of the library will limit access to one of the four openings into the

space and redirect the flow through the library. The added shelf space will allow

the fiction collection to be rearranged to allow for display space on the existing

top shelves for promotion of library materials. While these physical changes will

increase display space, the use of the libguide and social media also need “to

evolve into a virtual learning commons” to better meet the current and future

changes facing the Learning Commons (Ackroyd 28).

 Houpt 12

Item Description and Source

Existing Shelving and Bulkhead

• cork strips added to the green bulkhead

wall above the shelves for display

Source: EKD Learning Commons

Sandusky Lee Elite 4 Shelf Welded Mobile

Bookcase, 36 x 18 x 58 Inches,

• Sky Blue

Source: School Specialty

 Houpt 13

Library Floor Plan

MacBook Carts
 Houpt 14

Reflection

The WCPS Mission Statement states that the role of the school library

media specialist is “to empower students to be critical thinkers,

enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.” By

adding comfortable seating and replacing uncomfortable and unsuitable

furniture with flexible tables and chairs, students and staff will feel more

welcome in the Learning Commons (ALA/AASL 5.3). Access to the resources

and the functions of the space will increase effective use (ALA/AASL 3.2).
 Houpt 15

Students will be encouraged to get excited about reading in the improved

informal reading areas. Tables and other furniture that can be adjusted to better

meet students’ needs will remove many physical and social barriers to equitable

access. The overall atmosphere will help facilitate students’ independence in

the space and will empower them.

 Houpt 16

Works Cited

Ackroyd, Joan. “The Evolution of a Traditional Library to a Learning Commons.”

Teacher Librarian, Dec. 2014, www.thefreelibrary.com/The evolution of a

traditional library to a learning commons.-a0397004758.

ADAchecklist.org, Institute for Human Centered Design, 2016,

www.adachecklist.org/doc/fullchecklist/ada-checklist.pdf.

Barrack, Lauren. “The Heart of the School.” ProQuest, 3, Apr. 2015.

Demco, Inc. “Library Supplies | Shop Demco® Library Supplies

Online.” Demco.com, 2018, www.demco.com/Category/Library-

Supplies/_/N-11x.

Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. American

Association of School Librarians, 2009.

Formanack, Gail. "Designing a Facility: Making it a Place Where Every Student

Succeeds.” AASL 12th National Conference and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA,

6-9 Oct. 2005, American Association of School Librarians, 2005.

Hart, Thomas L. “Library Media Center Facilities Access: Do You Really Want Your

Library Media Center Used?” Library Media Collection, 2005, pp. 16–19.

School Supplies, Teacher Supplies, Classroom Supplies and Furniture from School

Specialty - SCHOOL SPECIALTY MARKETPLACE, 2018,

store.schoolspecialty.com/servlets/store/10.
 Houpt 17

WCPS Library Media Policies and Procedures Guide. Washington County Public

Schools, libguides.wcps.k12.md.us/LMGuide/home. Accessed 30 Aug

2018.