updated library design counterproposal buffy hamilton february 2016
TRANSCRIPT
RESPONSE TO PROPOSED CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH
SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER REDESIGNFEBRUARY 2016
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COMPONENT 1: TECHNOLOGY BAR CONCERNS
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COMPONENT 1: TECHNOLOGY BAR CONCERNS
• Jane Tidwell came out in December for a two hour site visit. We discussed this area being a space for lounge seating.
• The rectangular shape of the space and proximity to the front door lends itself to students who want to just drop in and have a comfortable place to sit; we also want to provide an upright charging station in this area for students.
Concerns
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1
COMPONENT 1: TECHNOLOGY BAR SOLUTIONS
• We recommend the genius bar be relocated to the area in front of the existing study/group collaboration rooms; this area is currently marked as the location of the circ desk, which we do not prefer.
• We would like for the existing shelving to be removed in this area.
• The genius bar could be aligned horizontally with seating on either side.
Recommendations
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COMPONENT 1: ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY BAR
PLACEMENT
• If the wall with the existing display case is removed and the room that is currently an IRR office is opened up (but the back wall is not removed to expand into the tech specialist’s office), we are open to placing the tech bar in this location.
• This might be an optimal location since it would be in close proximity to our tech specialist and would be located immediately inside our front entrance of the media center.
Suggestion
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OUR PROPOSED DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENTRY AREA AND
CIRC DESK AREA
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ENTRY AREA ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING LAB
Bretford Plus Long
Bench/Ottoman
Model SPO926
59" x 19" x 17“
Seats up to three students
http://bretford.com/products/plu
s-benches/
This proposal is contingent on the basic
structure of the “cube” or lab area
remaining the same. If this area is
reconfigured as group study rooms, seating
will not be needed since new doors will
need to be cut. 7
CIRC DESK AREA: PROPOSED SEATING SOLUTIONS FOR A NEW
SOFT SEATING AREA
This area is marked to be the location for
the genius/technology bar, but we feel it
would serve better as an entry soft seating
area.
• The shelving behind the circ desk will
need to be removed.
• The pole with drops/power should also
be removed as it is not aesthetically
pleasing.
• The painted trim that is currently black
should be repainted to be something
vibrant and to work with the new
color/fabric scheme.8
CIRC DESK AREA: PROPOSED SEATING SOLUTIONS FOR A NEW
SOFT SEATING AREA
Turnstone Campfire
Big Lounge
Turnstone Campfire Ottoman
Turnstone Jenny Club Chairs with
Casters
Turnstone Alight Bench
Ottoman
Turnstone Campfire
Paper Table 9
COMPONENT 2: LEARNING COMMONS CONCERNS AND
OUR INTERPRETATION OF THE CONCEPT
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2
COMPONENT 2: LEARNING COMMONS CONCERNS
• The area marked as the “learning commons” may possibly become a group study area/collaborative room.
• While this could easily become an informal learning area if we do not put a collaborative room here, I do not see it as a formal “learning commons.” It is too close to the circulation desk, is too small for a large high school, and instruction or a class activity would be disrupted by other activities happening around this area.
• I would prefer the learning commons actually be a flexible learning space similar to the instructional rooms in the Entrepreneur Lab at Discovery High School in Gwinnett County (this will be outlined later in this document).
Concerns
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2
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROPOSED LEARNING COMMONS
AREA
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Option 1:Add a collaborative work room that would extend off the ones created from the existing
computer lab.
Option 2: Make this a flexible space that could be used for soft seating or a type of flexible learning pod. The translucent privacy screen
would help define this area.
Option 3: Café style seating that could also have a monitor mounted on the wall where students could
plug in devices.
REPURPOSING PROPOSED LEARNING COMMONS AREA AND “LOW
TOP” SEATING AREAS
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The proposed solutions on the previous page/slide could also be used along the length of the long wall
currently labeled as “low top” seating.
We could also purchase additional Recordex or Elmo devices for to create impromptu “media-scape” like
centers. Students could move Steelcase mobile tables, Artcobell mobile tables, Buoy seating, and/or Campfire
Paper Tables over as needed.
Additional freestanding glass Claus dry-erase boards or Steelcase Verb mobile dry-erase boards could also
be used by students as needed in this area.
RE-ENVISIONING THE LEARNING COMMONS CONCEPT AREA
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We anticipate increased collaboration between the media center staff and faculty for a variety of instructional activities.
We envision a separate yet flexible learning commons area that is modeled after the instructional rooms in the
Entrepreneur Lab at Discovery High School. By knocking down part of the existing wall that separates the media
center from an area that is currently a large classroom for Drama, we can create one large room that can be separated
into 2-3 multiple instructional areas (to accommodate multiple sections of classes) or serve as individual instructional
areas where classes can work and not worry about disruption from students on the main floor.
• These rooms could be separated by a garage door or some other contemporary room divider that is easy to raise
or lower.
• These rooms will feature dry erase surfaces (wall, mobile boards).
• A mounted EPSON projector and high quality retractable screen OR a Recordex device can serve as the tools for
sharing and projection.
• These would be modeled after the Steelcase Active Learning classroom concept featuring the Verb line of
furniture, including tables, Node seating, whiteboards, and easels for storing whiteboards.
• Sliding glass doors would open up to each room/the area for ease of access and transparency in instructional
activities without disruption to students in the Learning Commons instructional rooms or on the main floor.
RE-ENVISIONING THE LEARNING COMMONS CONCEPT AREA
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Recommendation1
• Do not place group study rooms here—this will eat up precious main floor space that we need for tables and chairs for drop-in visitors or for informal instruction/activities.
Recommendation 2
• Knock out the wall and shelving to create a flexible series of instructional rooms for the media center and staff (see following slides).
This classroom
becomes
transformed into
the media center’s
new interpretation
of a learning
commons by using
the model of
instructional
rooms in the
Entrepreneur Lab
at Discovery High
School.
RE-ENVISIONING THE LEARNING COMMONS CONCEPT AREA
16From This… To This…
Remove the wall and shelves to
open up a new learning
commons space
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• Steelcase Node Chairs
• Media Whiteboard Verb Display Easel and Whiteboards by Steelcase
• Steelcase Verb Chevron Tables
• Some version of a Mediascape with Turnstone Buoys
• Clarus Glass Mobile Dry Erase Boards
Instructional Tools/Furniture
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CURRENT MEDIA CENTER INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES THAT WOULD BE
ENHANCED BY OUR VERSION OF THE LEARNING COMMONS
Direct instruction/mini-lessons for information literacy skills or hands-on inquiry activities
Active learning activities (individual>small group>large group)
Large group learning activities (example: Socratic circles)
Presentations
Collaborative Work (quiet and noisy)
Written conversation strategies
Media center as a learning studio where teachers can use the spaces to co-pilot new techniques and strategies with the METI and/or do large group learning activities with other class sections.
Guest speakers
Library and librarian as “pedagogical partner” and aligning practices with school strategic goals with data driven strategies and assessment practices 21
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When not in use for instruction
by teacher and the METI, this
space/spaces can be used for
meetings during the school day or
after school. The media center is
currently a hot spot for group and
community meetings, and this new
interpretation of a learning
commons can help meet those
needs during the school day
and/or after hours. We can also
use it for special events hosted by
the media center.
COMPONENT 3: PROPOSED SANDBOX AREA
CONCERNS AND OUR SOLUTIONS
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COMPONENT 3: SANDBOX CONCERNS
• The current plan calls for a “Sandbox” to be house in the “curve” of the media center. It calls for the majority of the stacks to also be housed in the same area, which is problematic when students are trying to browse for books in an instructional space.
• If this area is to retain shelving, the existing shelving needs to go—it is dark, lacks any effective means to hold the books (no shelf dividers), and does not allow for effective signage to easily identify sections of the collection.
• More light is needed in this area---sitting windows would be welcomed.
Concerns
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3
COMPONENT 3: FROM SANDBOX TO VIABLE STACKS/
INDIVIDUAL SEATING
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3
Add floor to ceiling windows for light; vertical mobile shelving and soft seating
could be added.
Buoy seating could be integrated at the end of the curved stacks (see next photo).
Some curved shelving on casters could be added into the center of the area to
house stacks.
COMPONENT 3: FROM SANDBOX TO VIABLE STACKS/
INDIVIDUAL SEATING
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3
COMPONENT 3: FROM SANDBOX TO VIABLE STACKS/
INDIVIDUAL SEATING
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3
COMPONENT 3: FROM SANDBOX TO VIABLE STACKS/
INDIVIDUAL SEATING
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3
COMPONENT 3: FROM SANDBOX TO VIABLE STACKS/
INDIVIDUAL SEATING
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COMPONENTS 4 AND 9: PROPOSED GROUP STUDY
ROOMS AND MAKERSPACE-PROJECT ROOMS + OUR
SOLUTIONS
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4/9
COMPONENTS 4 AND 9: GROUP STUDY ROOMS/
PROJECT ROOM-MAKERSPACE
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4/9
The proposed plan from the
architect/district calls for the existing
office/small group study rooms to be
demolished and to become a bank of
collaborative small group instructional
rooms.
Please see section 2 of this document for our
recommendations---we would prefer to keep
this floor space open and remove the existing
shelving and wall to open up new physical
space for our own interpretation of a
dedicated learning commons area.
COMPONENTS 4 AND 9: GROUP STUDY ROOMS/
PROJECT ROOM-MAKERSPACE
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4/9
Originally the architect planned to convert the media center computer lab into a bank of group
study/collaborative rooms. This would be our preference if they can be configured at a reasonable
cost. However, the current plan calls for this to become a project room or makerspace. We are open to possibly having a tinkering area (Legos, crafts, tech kits), but we feel this space would be best served as a
conversion to collaborative work areas.
COMPONENTS 4 AND 9: ALTERNATIVE
MAKERSPACE LOCATION
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4/9
Another alternative location for the
makerspace is to knock out the wall dividing the
two existing huddle rooms/conference rooms
and make a mini-makerspace in this area
for tinkering and creating.
COMPONENTS 4 AND 9: GROUP STUDY ROOMS/
PROJECT ROOM-MAKERSPACE
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4/9
Monitors and Mobile Tables with Comfortable Seating
Dry Erase SurfacesVisible glass that can also
be a writable surface
COMPONENT 5: CIRC DESK AREA CONCERNS OUR
SOLUTIONS
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5
COMPONENT 5: CIRCULATION DESK
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5
During the December 2015 meeting, there
was extensive discussion about the placement
of the circulation desk. We would prefer it be
more centered and slightly closer to the front
so that staff can easily greet students and not
in the way of the mobile seating we envision
on the main floor of the media center.
COMPONENT 5: CIRCULATION DESK
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5We especially like the
Demco Technolink Modular
Service Desk. The double-
sided feature of this desk,
the round shape, the
compact shape, and the
sleek contemporary look of
metal and natural wood are
both functional and
aesthetically pleasing.
http://www.demcointeriors.com/products/circul
ation-desks/technolink-modular-service-
desk/?webSyncID=43b3760c-5022-6107-7e25-
09588da10c6b&sessionGUID=37d300e6-6098-
3877-ce8a-57d84556b288
COMPONENT 6: SOFT SEATING
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6
COMPONENT 6: SOFT LOUNGE SEATING
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6Earlier sections have
highlighted the soft seating
options we prefer, including:
• Turnstone Jenny chairs
• Turnstone Buoys
• Turnstone Alight benches
• Turnstone Campfire Big
Lounge
• Turnstone Campfire
Paper Table
• Turnstone Campfire Big
Ottoman
• Bretford Plus Ottoman
COMPONENT 6: SOFT LOUNGE SEATING
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6
Other choices:
• Steelcase Brody Work
Lounge
• Steelcase Regard
• Steelcase
• Turnstone Big Lamp
• Turnstone Campfire Half
Lounge
COMPONENT 6: SOFT LOUNGE SEATING
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COMPONENT 7: LOW-TOP/LOW-PROFILE SEATING
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COMPONENT 7: LOW TOP AREA
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7
We envision the
“low-top” furniture
being used
throughout the main
floor areas,
particularly the open
spaces in the areas
pictured to the right.
COMPONENT 7: LOW TOP AREA
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7
The following is a wish list of Steelcase products I have
previously used with high school students---these can
double as workspace tables and seating; they can also be
used and configured quickly for small or large group
instruction/learning activities.
COMPONENT 7: LOW TOP AREA
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• Steelcase Media Instructional Area
Tables Rectangular 30 x 72 x 28 with
casters; brushed silver table tops and
legs
• Steelcase Media Round Study
Tables/Steelcase 48” with casters
• Media Table Shape Tables: Artcobell
Space Collection with and without
writable surfaces (casters includes):
Expanse and Nebula
• Hon Student SmartLink Swivel Chairs
• Steelcase Node Chairs
COMPONENT 7: LOW TOP AREA
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7
COMPONENT 7: LOW TOP AREA
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7
COMPONENT 8: MOBILE STACKS
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8
COMPONENT 8: MOBILE STACKS
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8
We like the model of the mobile
stacks. Taller shelves are fine for
anything that might go along a
wall, but we would want a lower-
profile version for those on the
main floor.
We want to further discuss the
proposed placement of the
mobile stacks on the main floor
as it feels a bit crowded in the
sketch.
COMPONENT 8: MOBILE STACKS
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COMPONENT 10: WORKROOM
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COMPONENT 10: WORKROOM
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The proposed plan calls for the workroom to have the
rear wall removed and opened up to what would be
another workroom for us that houses die cuts, butcher
paper, a lamination machine, and filing cabinets. We
would prefer to not have the rear wall removed
because:
1. The METI and Media Assistant use the workroom
as a shared office space. We need this for times
where work requires concentration or meetings
with teachers to plan instruction.
2. We need storage and would like a refresh of the
cabinetry and countertop.
3. We frequently use the sink as handwashing is a
necessary part of our workday handling many kinds
of materials.
4. The removal of the rear wall serves no purpose to
enhance teaching and learning.
View from Exterior/Doorway
COMPONENT 10: WORKROOM
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10
The workroom is also in need of
some minor design and aesthetic
changes to be more functional
and inviting. Paint, flooring, better
storage/cabinetry, and lighting
would all be welcome
enhancements. We also would
like a glass dry-erase board to use
for project management .
View from Interior
COMPONENT 11: OTHER AREAS OF
QUESTION/ISSUES
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11
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTION
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We are open to the conference room at the entrance of the media center being reconfigured in some other way; we’re not sure opening it up to the space that houses our tech specialist is the best choice unless the genius bar area were to become integrated into the design in some way to facilitate the tech support/help.
The distance learning room currently houses the technology specialist. In the December meeting I stated that the space, while desirable as a classroom or project room, might present some challenges in terms of supervision/management/traffic flow in the hallway that goes to faculty/staff only areas in the same wing.
One sign-in station is not sufficient for the crowds we have in the media center, especially at lunch. We would need at least three possible carts as points of sign-in/sign-out as well as additional laptops and scanners to use with our software.
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTION
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11
We would like to keep the existing
huddle rooms and upgrade them
into more functional spaces where
students can work in small groups
or individually as needed. We feel
many of the Steelcase products
identified in this document will help
fill that need as will glass dry erase
boards, new carpet, and fresh
vibrant paint.
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTION
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11
The area we call the “reading nook” is the one that seems a bit neglected on the proposed plan. We would like to
maintain this area as a space for reading or quiet study. We would probably put the curved shelfing in a slightly different
location to better differentiate that space.
We have included options elsewhere in this presentation for soft seating.
The existing bookcase needs to be removed. In its place, we might
consider:
*a slatwall for book and magazine display to showcase new arrivals
*a taller bank of the mobile shelving*putting another large window in this
area for more natural light
Per the other discussions elsewhere in this document, the proposed bookcases and seating and study rooms would not be placed here, but these spaces would
be kept open for low-profile seating that could be reconfigured quickly and
easily as needed.
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTION
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11
We did not feel the “bump” bench would be a good choice for our space---it was very uncomfortable and unattractive.
We did not see any Node chairs on the furniture options, and the options presented were somewhat limited. We have presented our choices and arguments for them in this document.
Issues of paint, lighting, and other structural nature are still unresolved.
We would like input on the color and fabric choices; we would prefer they not be color coordinated to school colors but rather selected with input from students and staff.
Will warranties be provided as part of the furniture purchase?
OTHER AREAS OF QUESTION
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11
Will charging stations be provided, and will we have input on what we get?
Will wireless printers be provided as part of the upgrade?
Will new workstations at the circ desk be provided?
What about high-profile seating/project style workspaces/tables?