Retrofitting School Libraries for

21st Century Learners

Margaret Sullivan
Library Resource Group LLC

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Personal Biases
• What are yours?
• What are your school administrators?
• What are the school boards?
• What are your communities or the parents?

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 What are your biases?
• Educational Models
– L4L Advocates
• Experiences
• Training and Educational Background
• Demographics
• History /Family

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 My Biases
• I believe in “Books”
– Books build literacy
– Read for pleasure and relaxation
– “The Power of Reading” by Stephen Krashen’s 2004
– Literacy should be a National Concern
• 1 in 7 Adults are Illiterate
– “The Dumbest Generation” by Mark Bauerlein 2008

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 My Biases
• Intolerable distance between the “Haves” and
the “Have Not’s”
– Addressing the challenges of “have not’s”
• “The Meaning of the 21st Century” by James Martin 2006
• “The Shame of the Nation” or “Death at an Early” “Age
of Savage Inequalities” by Jonathan Kozol

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 1. Administrators
2. School Board
3. IT Director
4. Librarian

POTENTIAL BIASES?

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 What is a 21 Century Learner? st

“Twenty-first century learners are always on,

always connected. They are comfortable
multitasking. They are multimedia oriented.
Their world is Web-based. They want instant
gratification. They are impatient, creative,
expressive and social. They are risk-takers who
thrive in less structured environments.”

Partnership for 21St Century Learners

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Skills Categorized
• Information and Communication Skills:
– Information processing skills include
information and media literacy, visual
literacy as well as communications and
technology literacy, and oral, written and
multimedia communications.

Partnership for 21St Century Learners

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Skills Categorized
• Thinking and Problem-solving Skills:
– These skills use problem-solving tools, such
as spreadsheets, decision support and
design tools, to develop critical thinking,
systems thinking, problem solving, creativity
and innovation.

Partnership for 21St Century Learners

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Skills Categorized
• Personal and Workplace Productivity Skills
– These skills include interpersonal and
collaboration skills, the ability to self direct,
adaptability, ethical behavior,
social/personal accountability, leadership, as
well as project planning and development.

Partnership for 21St Century Learners

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 What is a 21 Century Learner?
st

• Learning 4 Life AASL Standards and Guidelines for 21 st

Century Learners

– Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

– Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply
knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.
– Share knowledge and participate ethically and
productively as members of our democratic society.
– Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 AEIOU
• Activities: What are they doing?
– Brainstorming, reading, teaching, eating,
mentoring, writing, storytelling
• Environments: Where is it taking place?
– Location, noise, lighting, all the senses
• Interactions: With whom are they interfacing?
– Talking, seeing, collaborating
Conifer Research tips and framework

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 AEIOU
• Objects: What are they using?
– Chairs, tables, projectors, keyboard, whiteboard
• Users: Who are they?
– Groups
• Classes
• Teams
– Individuals
– Demographic data
Conifer Research tips and framework

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Information Gathering
• Interviewing, focus groups
• Shadowing
• Fly on the Wall
• Note-taking
• Physical Traces

Conifer Research tips and framework

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Schools for a New Millennium
The Language of School Design by Prakash Nair & Randall Fielding

• Independent Study
• Peer Tutoring
• Collaborative Work in small and mid-sized
groups (2-6 students)
• One-on-One Learning with a Teacher
• Lecture Format
• Project-based Learning

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Schools for a New Millennium
The Language of School Design by Prakash Nair & Randall Fielding

• Technology-based Learning with mobile

computers
• Distance Learning
• Research via the Internet with Wireless
Networking
• Student Presentations
• Performance and Music-based Learning
• Seminar-Style Instruction
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
 Schools for a New Millennium
The Language of School Design by Prakash Nair & Randall Fielding

• Community Service Learning

• Naturalist Learning
• Social/Emotional Learning
• Art-based Learning
• Storytelling
• Learning by Building, Hands-on based Learning

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Learning/Information Commons
• Computer workstation clusters
• Collaborative learning spaces
– Cafes
– Gaming Environments
• Presentation Support Centers or Multimedia
Presentation Centers
– Electronic Classroom
• Digital Media Studios or Advanced Technology
Labs
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
 Learning/Information Commons
• Instructional Technology Centers for Faculty
Development
– Multimedia Support
• Soft Seating
– Lounges
– Cafes
– Social Networking
– Rest/Relaxation

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Learning/Information Commons
• Writing Centers and other academic support
units
• Privacy, personalized study area
• Private spaces
– Meetings
– Projects
– Seminars
– Receptions
– Programs
– Cultural events

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Flexibility
Comfort
Sensory Stimulation
Technology Integration
Decentralized

TRANSLATING CONCEPTS IN SPACE

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Zones
Planning
Prioritizing
Floor Plans

CONCEPTS IN SPACE

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

Zone Planning School Library

Display

Work
Fiction space
Circulation
Desk
Signage Staff
Offices
Teaching
Non-Fiction Reading
Viewing
Listening
Browsing
Meeting Space

Teacher
Electronic
Resources
Information Computer
Online Services Labs
Classroom
Collaboration
 Zone Planning School Library with
Wireless Network

Display
and Circulation Work
Fiction Signage Desk space

Staff
Teaching Offices
Off-site Reading
Access Non-Fiction
Viewing
Listening
Meeting
Browsing
Working
Studying
Spaces
Collaboration
Electronic
Information
Online Services Social
Networking Teacher
Computer Gaming
Labs Resources
Distance Learning Media Production
Labs
Classroom
Collaboration

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 What need to be included/excluded?
Which space should have larger circle?
Which spaces can be smaller circles?
New circles?

DISCUSS ZONES

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Planning
• Sustainability, Green Components
• Indoor Environmental Quality
– Carpet
• Ergonomics
• Acoustics and Ceiling Height
• New Windows and Treatments
– Light, Natural and Even
– New Energy Efficient Lights
– Light Switches verses Motion Detectors

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Planning: Technology Integration
• Electronics and Equipment
– Copy machine, laminating, binding
– Computers, Printers, Scanners, Cameras
– Televisions, DVDs, Multimedia Projectors
• Electrical Outlets
– Quantity and Location
• Phone Lines and Data
– Wireless network
• HVAC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
 Planning

• Safety and Security

– One Main Entrance
– Traffic Flow
– Site Lines
• Shelving heights
• Blind corners
• Exits

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Planning
• Interior Color Palette
– Walls
– Flooring
• Squares verses rolls
• New Materials
– Wood Finishes
– Laminates
– Fabrics

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Prioritizing
• Work on Zones in Manageable/Logical Phases
• Weeding Process
– Materials
– Equipment
– Furniture
– Decorations/Displays
• Negotiate Budget
• Develop a Floor Plan
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
 Furniture Issue
• Flexible
– New verses retrofitting
• Comfortable
• Scale
• Decentralized
– AEIOU

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC
 Samples to Discuss

YOUR CURRENT LIBRARIES

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

QUESTIONS?
 Works Cited
• A Chronicle of West Virginia’s 21st Century Learning Initiatives, West Virginia Department
of Education 2008

• Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, ACRL/ALA 2000

• Standards for the 21st Century Learner, AASL/ALA 2007

• Schools and the Stimulus: How America’s Public School Districts Are Using ARRA Funds,
AASA, 2009

• Free Reading, by Stephen Frashen, School Library Journal, 9/1/2006

• Bauerlein, Mark, The Dumbest Generation, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin Group 2008

• Kozol, Jonathan, The Shame of the Nation, Crown Publishing 2005

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Works Cited
• Martin, James, The Meaning of the 21st Century, Penguin Group 2006 Palfrey, John and Gasser,
Urs, Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives, Basic Books, 2008

• Nair, Prakash and Fielding, Randall, The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21 st
Century Schools, DESIGNSHARE.COM, 2005

• Barton, Paul E. and Coley, Richard J., Windows on Achievement & Inequality,, Educational
Testing Service www.ets.org/research/pic 2008

• Hassel, Bryan, Revised edition updated Maria Ferguson, Comprehensive School Reform: Making
Good Choices, 2002

• Reading Performance and Achievement Gaps, Indicator 12, The Condition of Education, NAEP
2009

• Tough Choices or Tough Times, Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, National
Center on Education and the Economy 2009

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC

 Works Cited
• Is the Emphasis on Proficiency Shortchanging Higher and Lower Achieving Students,
Center on Education Policy 2009

• Greene, Jay and Foster, Greg, Public High School Graduation and College Readiness Rates
in the United States, Manhattan Institute , 2003

• How Teens Use Media, Nielsen Report, June 2009

November 6, 2009 Library Resource Group LLC