L I B R A R Y F A C I L I T Y A N D P R O G R A M P R O P O S A L

M A Y 7 , 2 0 1 3

Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School

Today‟s Presentation

Things you already know

Understanding the school and context for a library

Things you might not know about libraries

Future library

Program

Design

Input from school community

Budget

Next Steps

Things You Already Know

The public school option for middle schoolers in the East End district currently under a state-mandated turnaround program (Reid, 2013).

All grades in the public school option in this district fall well below state averages in reading (and math) (Great Schools).

The community is served by the East End Branch of the Richmond Public Library, which is currently closed for renovations.

The East End Branch Library is an approximately 2-mile walk from the Anna Julia Cooper School facility.

Things You Already Know

AJCES serves Richmond‟s East End, an economically challenged area, with four public housing units within a square mile (The PPDC Neighborhood, 2011).

East End Median Income:

$15,500 Richmond Median

Income:

$54,798

Income Disparity

(The PPDC Neighborhood, 2011)

Things You Already Know

The current library is housed in a windowless room measuring 166 square feet (11.66‟ X 14.25‟)

Current collection has not been cataloged, so exact number of materials is unknown. It is estimated that there are 300 books of varying quality.

There is no formal library or technology skills program in the school.

All 75 students share 24 netbooks for technology support.

Current Library (Looking in from door)

Reference Section (Current Library)

Fiction Section (Current Library)

Things You Might Not Know About Libraries

Students are more likely to be successful if they have a school library (ALA).

Higher test scores are linked to the presence of a school library program (ALA).

School libraries are key in developing the 21st century skills that are required to participate in today‟s (and tomorrow‟s economy) (I Love

Libraries).

“There was a significant positive relationship between a majority of the 21 library services regularly provided and student achievement at all levels. Total library services were significantly related to student achievement at all levels when controlling for all school and community variables.” Achterman, Doug.

2008. Haves, Halves, and Have Nots: School Libraries and Student Achievement in California. <http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9800/> (accessed March 18, 2013).

School libraries are essential learning resources and librarians are the essential „guides inside‟ our schools, leading everyday teaching and learning toward methods and outcomes that best prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century.” Bernie

Trilling, Global Director, Oracle Education Foundation, 2010.

School Libraries Improve Student Achievement

“Whether student achievement

is measured by standardized reading achievement tests or by global assessments of learning,

research shows that a well-stocked library staffed by a professional librarian has a positive impact on student achievement, regardless

of the socio-economic or educational levels of the community.“ (School Libraries Work)

Place (Library)

Program (Instruction, Technology,

Literature)

Person (Librarian)

Student Achievement

Libraries Transform Schools

“Students in better-staffed programs scored as much as

22 percent higher on standardized English tests and as much as 17 percent higher on standardized reading tests

compared to students in schools where library programs had less staff and fewer hours.” (Smith, 2006)

See the attached

brochure on more details

on how a school library can transform

AJCES!

School Libraries Close the Digital Divide

School libraries are the GREAT EQUALIZER. (Zachariah, 2011)

In order for AJCES students to fully achieve the objectives the school has laid out for them, technology must be integrated into their learning and school day.

According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), digital skills are necessary in preparing students to become viable contributors to our society.

ISTE identifies five skills necessary in education today:

Communication & Collaboration

Creativity & Innovation

Technology Operations

Research & Information

Digital Citizenship & Critical Thinking

(ISTE NETS for Students, 2012)

School libraries Encourage Lifelong Readers

According to the American Association of School Librarians, students must have the following in order to become lifelong readers:

Access to current, high-quality, high-interest, extensive print and non-print materials in their school library.

Contact with adults who read regularly and widely and serve as positive role models.

Librarians and classroom teachers who read, read aloud, and booktalk selections.

Time during the day to read for pleasure, information, and exploration (AASL, 1999).

P R O G R A M

C O L L E C T I O N

T E C H N O L O G Y

F A C I L I T Y D E S I G N

AJCES Future Library

AJCES Library Program Mission

The school library for AJCES will seek to enable the school community to access, evaluate, integrate, and

synthesize information so that each student will develop the critical thinking skills necessary in the 21st

century.

The library facility will encourage intellectual curiosity and discovery by providing a strategically-designed

collection of nonfiction, fiction, and reference print and non-print materials.

The library program will offer a wide range of cutting-edge technology that will provide students and faculty

with a platform for Web 2.0 technologies, current software applications, and a SMARTboard Interactive

Whiteboard for instruction and collaboration (included in the technology instruction lab).

Through a well-developed and appropriate collection of print and online resources and recreational literature

and periodicals, the library will support the AJCES curriculum and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

The library and technology lab will seek to close the digital divide and encourage technological skills by

providing resources so that the goals of the AJCES curriculum can be realized through diverse delivery

methods.

Collection Development According to the Virginia Department of Education, middle school libraries should provide an average of 10 books per student.

Collection selected based on H.W. Wilson‟s Core Collection for Middle Schools.

Nonfiction, fiction, reference, periodicals, and other media will be selected based on student and faculty needs, curriculum, content quality and accuracy, relevance to the school community, and recreational and literary interests.

Dedicated faculty and parent collection.

The AJCES school library will feature a strategically-designed collection of nonfiction, fiction, periodicals, reference materials, and digital resources to support the school curriculum, encourage critical thinking, build information literacy skills, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. At least 750 books should be secured for the opening of the AJCES library. It is suggested that eight periodical subscriptions be secured also (one local paper, one national paper, and poetry, news, and recreational print magazines be provided). Database selection will be based on what is provided by the state of Virginia and the Richmond Public Library‟s current offerings. If more database subscriptions are required beyond what is provided, decisions will be based on the collection development statement.

Technology Since space is limited in the room that is available for the library, it is recommended that a technology instruction space be designed for the current library (166 square feet).

This room should include two 46” rectangular tables with electrical power sources (computer work tables) with seating and space for 6 computers at each table. The tables should be positioned so that a SMARTboard interactive whiteboard can be utilized for technology instruction.

This space would also house the routers and mechanical systems for the computers. Similar lighting and art displays as the library should be followed in the technology instruction room. However, lighting in the technology instruction lab should be dimmable. Also, a glass door should be installed for an opening welcome since the room has no natural light.

Accommodations should also be made for systems to support learning such as speakers, phone lines, etc. A cart for instructor materials should also be placed in the room.

To support student learning and exploration, the AJCES Library and Technology lab should feature:

12 iPads

12 laptops

2 reference desktop computers

1 reference and catalog desktop computer

1 laptop for librarian

2 printers (one color)

1 phone

1 Interactive Smartboard

Speakers

Digital camera

Research and reference area = 6 feet for a computer work station that will include two desktop computers to serve as the Online Patron Access Catalog (OPAC), reference database access, and general use.

One 6-ft round table should be located near the computers and reference for research instruction and collaboration. This table could accommodate six students with one laptop each.

8 spots for quiet reading should be available and could be provided through a combination of single or couch-like lounge seating.

According to the Virginia DOE guidelines, a minimum of 30 seats should be provided in a middle school library.

Currently, the allocated space allows for seating of 24 students (1 rectangular table with seating for 6, 1 round table with seating for 6, 1 computer work table with seating for 3, and 9 casual seats).

A circulation and librarian desk should be located near the entrance with sightlines to the entire library.

A storage area should be located on the perimeter of the room behind the circulation/librarian desk. This room , which should include a large window facing the library and entrance should feature locks for safety and security. The primary purpose of this room would be to house an ipad cart, laptop cart, a copier/scanner, 18 linear feet for a DVD collection, a phone and phone line, and closed cabinets for supply storage.

The physical design of the library should generally seek to establish “areas” within the space.

An area for quiet reading or studying by the windows. An area for reference and collaboration work should be located near the circulation desk at the entrance.

Décor and materials such as carpeting should be selected for age-appropriateness, comfort, and durability.

Student artwork should be prominently displayed above the perimeter shelves and the school motto P.R.I.D.E. should have a distinct presence.

Technology

Space Design

Space Requirements The Virginia Department of Education‟s Guidelines for School Facilities in Public Schools state that middle and high school libraries should be 1000 square feet gross plus 3 square feet times the number of students (that would be 1,225 sqft for AJCES).

Other states have similar guidelines. For example, the Texas Department of Education requires a school with less than 100 students to have a library with at least 1400 sqft.

The room that was identified as potential space for the library currently serves as the band room. The room measures 636 square feet (19.92‟ X 31.92‟), including a closet. The square footage is notably small for the needs of the school. The available room features a sloping ceiling that ends at the windows adjacent to the entrance. The lowest point of the ceiling measures 8 feet in height. More windows are located above the room entrance. A closet has been built along the perimeter of the wall next to the entrance. The analysis and recommendations in this proposal will be based on the current available space for renovation and not on new square footage to be constructed onto the current school. Hence, creativity and adaptability is crucial in space planning.

Having a tough time visualizing the future AJCES Library? Check out what other schools have done!

A partnership between the Robin Hood Foundation and the New York City Department

of Education to work to eliminate low literacy skills by working with school districts in high poverty areas that have low academic achievement. Since 2002, 62 libraries have been “reinvented”. http://www.robinhood.org/initiatives/library

Robin Hood Foundation L!brary Initiative

http://thinksmartplan.com/wordpress/2009/11/27/library-learning-fun/

http://2x4.org/media/files/d1532434fa31d60d9bfd32d7c4df1008.jpg

Boring Stuff What does 187 linear feet of shelving look like?

Student collection: 9 - 36” X 60” shelves

Reference collection: 4 - 36” X 42” shelves

Faculty collection: 2 – 36” X 42” shelves

Parent collection: 1 – 36” X 42” shelf

AJCES should have at minimum 750 books (75 students). With 8 books

per linear foot of shelving and 25% of each shelf (9 inches) kept empty for

future growth and to display some titles face-out (visual display of cover

has been shown to increase patron interest), this comes to 118 linear feet

of shelving for fiction and nonfiction books (Bryan, 2007).

The AJCES library should provide at least 36 linear feet of shelving for

reference materials such as atlases, print dictionaries of various types,

thesauri, and other reference sources such as books of quotations, etc.

With 11 full and part-time teachers, the library must provide a rich

faculty collection with at least 18 linear feet of shelving.

Also, it is recommended that the library provide a diverse and applicable

parent collection with at least 9 linear feet of shelving.

Altogether, these total calculations come to

187 linear feet of shelving.

According to the American Library Association‟s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the role of teenagers in planning their library space is crucial to the success of a teen library.

It will be crucial to get input from the school community as the library is

being developed. This important role encourages a sense of ownership of

the library and is more likely to represent the needs of the library‟s target

audience (YALSA, 2012).

Opportunities for informal input from the students of AJCES will be

crucial in the design process. Direct communication through interviews

and brainstorming session with the students would be beneficial in

gaining insight into a library facility and program that achieves its goals.

It would be crucial to communicate regularly with faculty regarding teen

décor, faculty collection needs, and especially the curricular needs of the

teachers.

It is recommended that a faculty advisory committee meet regularly to

participate in the development of the library design and collection.

Aligning collection development strategies and technology development

with the curricular and developmental needs of the school would be

crucial.

This would only succeed with a team-oriented, supportive relationship

between librarian, teachers, and administration.

Input from School Community

AJCES Library Advisory Committee

An initial meeting would kick-off the Library Advisory Committee.

In an effort to apply Web 2.0 technologies that AJCES will teach students, the Advisory Committee will work to integrate these opportunities in their meetings. Therefore, lunchtime Skype, chat, or other virtual meetings will occur until the library begins renovation. This will also respect the time of these volunteers, who will be busy sharing their enthusiasm for the project!

It is recommended that an advisory committee be formed for the development of the library. This committee would be composed of the following:

AJCES Board member Give strategic input from the board of AJCES. Ensures design of library meets long-term goals of school. Communicates with the AJCES Board about the design and funding of library. Advises Library committee on grant-finding opportunities. Library Consultant/Project Manager/Grad Student Develops and initiates programming and facilities for AJCES library, including the hiring

of architects and construction, renovation, and implementation. Seeks and secures grant and private donor funding for library. Coordinates Library Advisory Committee meetings and objectives. Designs library program around curriculum, ensures continuity.

Local Independent School Librarian Serves in an advisory role contributing knowledge from experience as librarian. Will advise Library Consultant on design and program.

AJCES Volunteer Interested AJCES volunteer will give input on library from a volunteer‟s perspective. Will advise and support private donor efforts.

AJCES Administrator Maybe the most important role in the committee! Advise development of design and program of library ensuring that the library is fully

integrated into the curriculum and culture of the school community. Empower library program through support among faculty and students.

AJCES Faculty member Lead the faculty advisory committee and communicate their activities to the Library

Advisory Committee. Advise committee on program and design. Help coordinate input from students on program and design and support library by

integrating program into curriculum.

Budget According to the Reed Construction Data Virginia state library calculator, the average cost of building a library in Virginia is $150 per square foot (Construction Cost Estimates for Libraries in Virginia, 2013)

Even though the proposed library is a renovation and not a new construction project, this per square foot estimate will help guide the proposed budget for the library.

For long-term planning purposes, it could be estimated that an ongoing library program would require $1,000 per year for material acquisitions (national average is $8.05 per middle school student, this estimate also includes ongoing faculty and parent materials, including DVDS, etc.) and $1,000 per year for subscriptions and software updates (Farmer, 2011) .

This estimate does not include librarian salary, computer maintenance, WiFi and phone services, or repairs to systems.

Grants and private donor funding will be solicited. Budget Estimates Professional Fees: Architect (6% of total budget) Contractor (25% of total budget) Construction and Renovation Labor: $150 per square foot Library Construction costs (636 square feet) $95,400 estimated renovation $23,850 estimated for contractor $5,724 estimated for architect Total: $124,974 plus 10% contingency added = $137,471 Technology Room Construction Costs (166 square feet) $24,900 estimated renovation $6,225 estimated for contractor $1,494 estimated for architect Total: $32,619 plus 10% contingency added = $35,880 Materials testing: Not sure Interior Design = $50,000 (Décor & furnishings) Collection Budget 750 books X $20 = $15,000 Special reference (ie. Atlas, dictionary) 20 books X $50 =$1,000 Magazine Subscriptions (8 magazines and newspapers) = $750 Database subscriptions = $2,000 Library Supplies = $1,000 Total: $19,750 Technology (ipads, laptops, printers, phones, SMARTBoard) Estimates are general! Does not include software, mechanicals, routers, data

service) 12 iPads $5990 (plus cases at $39/each) = $6,458 12 laptops MacBook Pro $14,290 3 iMacs $3,297 2 printers $1,200 1 phone 1 SMARTBoard: $6,000 Total: $31,245

Total for Project: $301,096 (not including materials testing and some technology)

R E A D T H R O U G H P R O P O S A L

D I S C U S S Q U E S T I O N S & C O N C E R N S - - I N T E R I M L I B R A R Y P R O C E D U R E S ?

P R E S E N T T O A J C E S B O A R D & M A K E D E C I S I O N

I M P L E M E N T L I B R A R Y A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

I M P L E M E N T F A C U L T Y A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

B E G I N F U N D R A I S I N G

Next Steps

References

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Bland, G. (2013, February 25). Principal, Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School. (M. Hawkins, Interviewer)

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Zachariah, H. (2011, November 26). Cutbacks Shut Elementary's Library, Threaten Middle School's. Columbus Dispatch .