Planning school libraries
School libraries are essential to learning, and good design is seen as a central consideration in creating effective learning environments.
Articles, reports and guidelines
- Good school libraries: making a difference to learning
- A report by Ofsted which identifies those factors that help to produce good libraries in primary and secondary schools. Draws on inspection data collected between September 2004 and July 2005, and includes case studies from some of the schools.
- Primary school library guidelines
- CILIP, 2002. The guidelines are intended to be a practical support to everyone concerned with establishing, maintaining and developing dynamic primary school libraries across the UK. Free download.
Books
- Designing a school library media center for the future
- ALA Editions, 2007. In this hands-on guidebook, school library construction and media specialists Rolf Erikson and Carolyn Markuson share their experiences of working on more than 100 media centre building projects around the US, using conceptual plans from actual school libraries.
- Ideas and designs: creating the environment for the primary school library
- Michael Dewe, SLA, 2007. This guideline takes the reader easily through the thinking and design process, offering clear advice at all stages. Has a list of useful publications and websites, and provides two very useful and relevant case studies of schools planning and building new libraries.
- Re-Designing the high school library for the forgotten half: the information needs of the non-college bound student
- Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Designing a library to meet the information needs of students going straight into work from school.
- School libraries: what’s now, what’s next, what’s yet to come
- Free e-book or PDF download of 100 essays and reflections on school libraries (US), including chapters on physical spaces in libraries.
- Visionary spaces: designing and planning a secondary school library
- Geoff Dubber and Kathy Lemaire, SLA, 2007. This updated guideline should provide inspiration as well as information to school librarians, and everyone in and beyond school who is considering or directly involved with a new build or refurbished library development programme.
See also
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- Technology and digital library services
- A guide to resources on the impact of technology in libraries, with particular focus on developing digital library services.
Designing Libraries Essential Design Guidelines
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- Managing a successful library design and furnishing project
- The guide draws on more than 30 years of Demco's experience as library designers and suppliers of library furnishings.
- pdf (769.47kb)
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- Planning a successful library or archive move
- A step-by-step guide to moving, from forward project planning to risk management, packing, storage and relocation, created for Designing Libraries by Harrow Green.
- pdf (3,507.95kb)
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- How to photograph your library
- Key points to consider when photographing libraries. This simple but practical advice produced for Designing Libraries by Point Eight, will help you to produce professional pictures you can be proud of.
- pdf (1,310.55kb)
