Facilities Standard

The library media center is an inviting, learning-conducive area for reading, research and teaching activities. The safe, barrier-free space is designed to facilitate active, inquiry-based learning and serve as an integral part of every student's educational experience.

Rationale

To ensure a library media facility which improves the teaching and learning of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and supports Massachusetts education reform initiatives.
To meet New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) Standards for Accreditation for High School, Middle/High Schools and K-12 Schools:
"The school shall provide and maintain library/information services program and materials that are fully integrated into the school's curriculum and instructional program and are consistent with the school's mission and expectations for student learning." (6.9)
"Students, faculty, and support staff shall have regular and frequent access to library/information services facilities and programs as an integral part of their educational experience before, during, and after the school day." (6.13)
"The school site, plant, and equipment shall support and enhance all aspects of the educational program and the support services for student learning." (7.3)
"The physical plant and facilities shall meet all applicable federal and state laws and be in compliance with local fire, health, and safety regulations." (7.7)
"The library/information services program shall foster independent inquiry by enabling students and faculty to utilize various school and community information resources and technologies." (6.10) http://www.NEASC.org
To meet National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for Library Media which state that accomplished library media specialists know:
"the principles of teaching and learning that contribute to an active learning environment." (Standard II)
"the principles of library and information studies needed to create effective, integrated library media programs." (Standard III) http://www.NBPTS.org

Outcomes

Active, inquiry-based learning is facilitated.
Collaborative resource-based teaching and learning is fostered.
Academic and recreational use of library resources by students is encouraged through the provision of a well-designed, appealing environment.
Access is provided to a centralized, active learning lab in which all students can hone their reading, research, technology, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Individual space for independent learning and reading for pleasure is provided.
Information technologies and electronic resources have a prominent place in an area accessible to all members of the learning community throughout the school day and during non-school hours.
Individuals, small groups and classes have flexible, equitable access to the library at point of learning need.
Networked information resources can be extended outward into classrooms, computer labs, the community and into the homes of students.

Specifications

Space

According to Massachusetts Education Laws and Regulations 603 CMR 38.00: School Construction 38.05: Program Standards: Capital Construction, "the cost of program spaces shall be shared in by the Commonwealth if they fall within the ranges listed below. A variation of 5% is permitted. Exceptions to the minimum and maximum program space allowances may be granted at the discretion of the DOE Commissioner or the Board."

Elementary Schools: "The Media Center/Library Reading Room should range from 1800-3000 square feet, small group and Seminar areas should range up to 500 square feet each and Computer labs/workstations should have 30 square feet per work station."

Secondary schools: "The Library (Instructional Materials Center) program area may be up to 15% of enrollment x 40 square feet - maximum. Computer labs/workstations should have 30 square feet per workstation Other areas may be added, if planned, i.e. office, conference, etc. Storage space is as needed."

Seating Capacity

Elementary Schools: "Seating capacity will be determined by a combination of the size of the student body and the number of staff persons available for supervision."
Secondary Schools: "Seating capacity will be twelve percent (12%) of the total student body."

Accessibility
To conform to the American with Disabilities Act, the facility must be accessible to the handicapped. For more information: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Other Considerations

Location

centrally located within the school
away from noisy areas such as gymnasiums, band rooms, or playgrounds
traffic patterns
plan for security
near an outside entrance to facilitate deliveries and accessibility during non-school hours without the remainder of the school being open.

Environment

Climate

Heating, cooling and ventilation equipment provide surroundings which are comfortable, quiet, draft-free, and environmentally safe year-round.
Separate climate controls for operation during non-school hours.
Effective control of temperature and humidity to preserve collections and protect specialized equipment.
Proper ventilation in high-risk areas such as darkrooms where noxious chemical fumes may be present.

Lighting

Glare-free spaces for reading books and computer screens.
Adequate, shadow-free lighting in shelving areas.
Easy provisions for adequate dimming in areas in which projection equipment is to be used.
Remote control of lighting and operation of audiovisual equipment in the viewing areas.
Provision for room darkening in areas which contain windows.

Electricity

Safe, adequate electrical wiring with sufficient well-placed grounding outlets.
Electrical circuitry to provide for current and projected needs.

Acoustics

Carpeting is recommended for most areas to control sound, but provisions for reducing static must be made in computer use areas.
Sound absorbent wall and ceiling treatments.

Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance is essential. An attractive and properly maintained library media facility encourages frequent and neat use.

Space Use

Form should follow function. Consider how the space may most effectively be used to forward the school's mission and the objectives of the Massachusetts Common Core of Learning. Does space use focus on engaging students in using multiple information resources to gain strength as problem solvers and decision-makers? To help all students meet Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks objectives, the library media facility should have the following components.

Main Use Area

Flexibility of use should be a prime consideration.
Adequate space for material circulation, catalog access, displays and exhibits.
Central location for reference collection to ensure easy access.
A layout designed for easy supervision of the current collection and its anticipated growth.
A large group area for class instruction/storytelling.
Listening and viewing areas for small groups and individuals as well.
Space should be designed so that a number of students may be engaged in individual assignments or quiet reading without being disturbed by a group that is receiving instruction.

Electronic Research Area

Large enough to accommodate a class needing access to electronic reference resources and the Internet. Secondary level students should have individual workstations meeting MA DOE space specifications. Elementary school libraries should have at least one workstation for every two students.
Adequate electrical, telephone and cable connections with appropriate computer network wiring.
Workstations situated so that screens are visible for supervision purposes.
A networked printer should be available and the computers, connected to the Internet as stipulated by district policies, should be capable of multimedia functions, including sound and motion.

Professional Resources Area

Unless there is a system-wide professional resource center, space needs to be allocated in each school for the housing of a collection of materials for the professional staff, along with sufficient space, furnishings and hardware to use such a collection. This area should be designed so that staff will find it a convenient place in which to collaborate with colleagues, prepare lessons, learn about professional development opportunities and conduct research.

Production Space

Equipment and supplies for: writing reports, creating presentations, photocopying, designing graphics, creating multimedia, and recording, duplicating and editing audio-visual materials.
A sink and adequate counter/table space to allow multiple projects.
Provision for a darkroom or for a separate television production or radio broadcast area.

Support Areas

Work Space

A separate area for library media staff tasks such as planning, ordering, scheduling, processing, and repairing should be included. This area should provide for visual supervision of the library and have telephone, computer and fax access.

Educational Technology Support Area

The library media center is set up to be "Network Central" for all types of materials, technologies and networks. Its catalog, internal information systems, and regional library consortium online resources extend outward into the other instructional areas of the school and are accessible to students at home.

Space adequate to house the school's centrally based technology including; servers, video distribution systems, projectors, multimedia units, wireless computers and cable access television. Also locations for cable, video and data drops.

Storage Areas

Adequate storage provision for back issues of periodicals in print and/or microform formats.
Storage provision sufficient for all current media equipment along with adequate space for future growth. Storage areas contain sturdy and secure shelving and cabinets and lockable storage for cameras, video equipment and computers.
In those schools where textbooks are housed and circulated through the media center, space must be designated for their storage. Textbook storage space must not infringe on any of the areas described above.

Furnishings

Durability, flexibility of use and appearance.
Furnishings and access points conform to all state and federal rules for access by handicapped students and staff.
Firmly secured shelving.
Chairs and other seating: Seat distance from floor: Elementary - 14-17 inches Secondary - 16-18 inches
Tables and carrels: At least 60 inches between two tables/carrels with back to back seating.
Maximum height of working surfaces: 25-28 inches 26-30 inches

Computer workstations:

A space of 30 sq. ft. per workstation.
For class library use: 1 per 2 students 1 per student
Shelving should be designed to fit the size and dimension shelving requirements of a variety of resource formats; reference, hardcover, picture and paperback books, books on tape, periodicals, DVDs, kits and software.
Maximum Height Elementary Secondary
Perimeter 5-6 feet 6-7 feet
Freestanding 42 in. where visual control is needed.
6 ft. for high-density storage.

Implications

Administrators

Work to ensure that the library facility models the educational philosophy of the school, supports the growth of powerful student information literacy skills, meets national guidelines for school library media programs, furthers the curriculum, and is an integral part of the municipal education technology plan.
Plan for the continued involvement and positive interaction of classroom teachers, administrators, library media and computer personnel in the design and growth of the school's library media facility.
Ensure that library space allotment and usage reflect the school's commitment to honoring individual learning styles and providing equitable access to resources.
Provide leadership in obtaining adequate funding for the space, furnishings, storage and technological capabilities needed to support and encourage student achievement.
Support policies and procedures which ensure that the library media center is an inviting resource-based learning center.

Teachers

Collaborate to ensure a school library media facility, which meets students' academic needs and generates excitement for reading, research and independent learning.
Use the facility when working to meet the research, literature, media production and information technology objectives of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Library Teacher

Provide evaluative documentation on facility requirements to meet evolving academic needs.
Lead to ensure that the facility is effectively designed, equipped and utilized.
Work to make the facility inviting and educationally stimulating through displays of students' work, books, and thoughtful use of space, color and design.

Examples of Assessment Tools

Statistics showing the instructional focus of the library facility including; numbers of reading, storytelling, cooperative learning, project-based and resource-based teaching and learning activities along with any non-instructional uses of the facility.
Statistics on individual and small groups of students accommodated throughout the school day and on the number of large groups which can be accommodated simultaneously.
Statistics on students, classes or small groups unable to be accommodated at point of research, reading or production need because of lack of facility space.
Floor plan, maps, photographs.
Policies describing access to the library media facility.
Furniture and technology equipment inventories.