Learning Spaces

 Our Library - Before

SITE 1: Our small, centrally-located primary school library had been
suffering a space crisis for some time. The teacher-librarian had
reorganised the collection to accommodate the growing Accelerated
Reader collection. The library was the size of three single classrooms.
It had been orgnaised to make efficient use of the space available.

The library facilities included:

• a storeroom for audio visual materials
• library aides room
• teacher reference shelves
• circulation desk area
• computer bank of 6 enquiry terminals 
• learning space on the floor beside the ciruculation desk
• collections section
• table and chairs to seat about 24 students
• seats and a work bench along the verandah.

The returns box, poster collection and curriculum boxes
were located on the closed in verandah, but were exposed
to sunlight for most of the day.

Storing the posters in the sun on the verandah, caused the collection
to deteriorate prematurely. In preparation for moving to the new library, 
the whole poster collection was discarded. The teacher librarian
explained that teachers rarely requested posters.

Our Library - After 

SITE 3: The new library is not centrally located in the school, but that hasn't adversely affected its use. It's much lighter, cooler and more spacious than the old library. The new library's facilities include:

• circulation desk
• librarian's office space
• work room with kitchen facilties and a compactus
• an interactive whiteboard
• learning space on the floor between two rows of picture book easyboxes
• general collection shelves for Accelerated Reader, other fiction and non-fiction books
• computer lab with 30 computers and a data projector and screen
• 12 enquiry terminals
• tables and chairs for 30 students
• a meeting room that seat approximately 20 people.

The library is designed to maximise visibility of all learning spaces from the circulation desk. The colour of furniture was chose to match the school colours and the exterior of the building.

The library furniture is arranged to maximise visibility. A few
years ago, bookshelves were arrranged differently, to create discreet learning areas. A small number of students were not respecting the collection and not using their time wisely.

When the bookshelves were rearranged to accommodate
the growing fiction sections, the TL decided to make sure all children could be seen at all times.

The old port racks on the verandah were used to store the
giant chess set and curriculum boxes, and some classroom reading material. Other classroom reading material is not catalogued. It is stored in classrooms or storerooms close
to the appropriate year level classroom.

Centenary Library viewed from the western end.

REFLECTION
The Centenary Library is very old and worn. However, it's visual appeal could have been enhanced by:

• using bright colours to cover or paint the noticeboards
• creating book displays
• displaying student work in more creative ways
• adding curtains and wall murals.

The local Brisbane City Council library is much more appealing and inviting.

In the old library the circulation desk took up almost as much space as the enquiry terminals.

The main collection is divided into four sections: junior fiction, Accelerated Reader, fiction, and non-fiction. These sections are labelled. The Accelerated Reader section is the largest part of the collection. It comprises fiction and non-fiction books that are colour-coded and shelved according to level.

Two spinners are used to display new books or promote particular authors or series. Books placed on the spinners move quickly and the spinners are usually half empty by the end of the lunch break.

Teacher reference materials, audio visual resources and curriculum resource boxes are stored in the compactus.

 REFLECTION
Although the new library is more visually pleasing than the Centenary Library, I would prefer to see more displays and bright colours. The atmosphere could also be enhanced by soft furnishings. However, given the number of children who use the library each lunchtime, they would deteriorate very quickly. In addition, adding soft furnishings would limit the amount of space for children to read and play games.

I would have preferred to have the cables for the inquiry terminals encased rather than visible. Overall the library is spartan and functional rather than exciting or inviting. But that doesn't seem to affect library usage at lunchtime. The library is usually packed.

The most important aspect of our library as a learning space is that children feel welcome to come and comfortable asking questions and seeking help. Now that we have 12 faster enquiry terminals the children are happier to do their own searches.

The new library comprises several learning spaces (computer lab, meeting room, student work tables, bank of enquiry terminals and carpet area) and the general collection and picture book collection.

The computer lab is equipped with 30 computers, a printer, a scanner, a whiteboard, projection screen, dataprojector and speakers. Recently, webcams were added to two computers, and a document camera is available from the circulation desk. 

A mobile whiteboard and interactive whiteboard (with ultra-short-throw data projector) can be moved to service any of the learning areas. 

Easyboxes are used to frame the carpetted area used for lower school classes. 

The bank of 12 enquiry terminals are also used for activites during library lessons.

The comfortable furnishings in primary colours make it attractive to children. 

The Council library is divided into an adult section and a children's section. As a primary school teache the children's section was of particular interest to me.

The children's section is on a slightly lower level than the adult section. This helps define the space and give it a cosy atmosphere.  The white walls and bookshelves add a fresh, bright feel to the room. Silhouettes are used effectively to decorate the walls.

Books are shelved or stored at heights appropriate to the age group. The books are shelved loosely according to the first letter of the author's last name and there are large lettered shelf dividers to demark the collection. New books are on display near the entrance and popular titles are displayed in other parts of the room. A bigbook stand is used for story telling sessions. There was one games console with a large TV screen. And there are work tables for craft sessions.