Capstone ISTC 601- Library Administration

The New and ImprovedWhite Oak School Library

Erin MoyerMay, 2013

ISTC 601 Capstone

• I chose to make over my current library at the White Oak School.

• The changes I made are all for the benefit of the students.

• The library has been set up well in the past but due to the nature of students in my school and the increasing number of students with autism I felt it was time to make some adjustments that better fit the needs of my school and students.

Samples of Programs

• Battle Monument– Library Program– BLS Program

• Joppa View Elementary– Library Program

• Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected– Scotch Plains Public Library– Fanwood Memorial Library

Elements of the Library

COLOR!

• When I first came into my library there was very little color.

• The only thing that stood out to me was the red tables, which will remain.

• To help brighten up the space I will be bringing in colorful beanbag chairs, rugs, couches, tables and 4 fish tanks/bubble tubes.

Seating

• I have found that beanbag chairs have been a positive addition to my library.

• Most students find them to be a fun new way to sit and learn.

• My older students have enjoyed the beanbags as much as the younger students!

Beanbag seats from Lakeshore Learning

Bookshelves

• The majority of the current bookshelves will remain. However several will be replaced with 6ftx3ftx15in. shelves.

• This will bring all shelving areas to the same height and allow more space for shelving and displaying books.

Circulation Desk• The circulation desk will

remain the same. • It is structurally sound and

should remain a part of this library for a long time.

• However I have moved the circulation desk from the corner of the library to the middle.

• This allows me to see all areas of the library easily and allows students easier access to the circulation desk.

Educational Specifications

Main Use AreaEntrance, Circulation, Display

• There are now two entrances to the library.

• At each entrance there is room for displaying upcoming events in the library, which can be hung on the sides of the book shelves inside of the doors.

Main Use AreaEntrance, Circulation, Display

• The circulation desk will have a space for students to return books and checkout new materials.

Main Use AreaReading, Listening, Viewing

• The shelving for the library collection surrounds the entire library.

• There will a shelving section for Everybody Books, Non-Fiction, Fiction and the Professional Collection.

• Due to the small number of students in my school I will be placing 3 computers on the side of the circulation desk designated for Destiny searches.– (4-5 are recommended)

Large Group Instruction

• Students will be able to listen to stories, view and interact with presentations on the wall-mounted Promethean Board and complete work at the work tables.

• Also they will be able to use the laptops found in the library’s portable laptop cart.

Main Use AreaReading, Listening, Viewing

• The area designated for storytelling and instruction make up the Large Group Instruction area but can easily be rearranged for smaller group instruction.

Recreational Reading Areas

• To allow my students space for recreational reading I have created two areas for students to do just that.

• One area is located near the Fiction section for intermediate students

• The other section is located near the Everybody section for primary students.

Online Retrieval Area (ORA)

• In order to accommodate more space in the library I have decided to utilize a portable laptop cart for the libraries “Computer Lab.”

• Since it is portable this gives flexibility for me and my students to work where ever they need to on any given day.

Online Retrieval Area (ORA)

• The portable cart will house 30 laptops for student use.– (5 computer workstations are recommended)

• There will be 3 computers on the side of the circulation desk that will be used for Destiny Searches.

• There is already a computer lab for the school which is located on the same level as the library.– There are 15 computers in this computer lab.

Multimedia/Video Production Area

• Currently there is no TV Studio in my school.

• I will be taking a work area and converting it into a TV Studio, which will be used for morning announcements.

• It will also be utilized by staff throughout the school for student projects.

Librarian’s Office/Work Space

• Behind the circulation desk is an office that I would use as the LMS office.

• This workplace would be the area that I use for planning library lessons.

• Also I will use this space for planning/collaboration with the classroom teachers.

Professional Collection

• The Professional Collection will be located next to the LMS Office.

• This will allow teachers to easily find professional resources and since it is adjacent to the LMS Office I will be able to easily refer to it while working with staff in my office.

Workroom/Equipment Storage

• The Equipment Storage closet is located in the back of the library, next to the TV Studio.

Signage and

Displays

Signage and Displays• I will be labeling

each shelf in the Fiction, Non-Fiction and Everybody Book Sections.

Shelf labels provided by- LibrarySkills

Book Displays

• The majority of my students are visual learners so to aid with book selection I will be using book stands as often as possible in my library.

• This will allow students to see the covers of the books and not just the spine labels.

Book Displays

• To further assist my students in seeing the covers of the books in the library I have brought in two tables that allow books to be placed in and sorted through.

• They have colorful animals on the sides to attract students to them.

Images provided by- http://www.librariesandautism.org/video.htm

Environmental Design Elements

Environmental Considerations

• The library is air conditioned, allowing all materials to remain cool and calm.

• Since the air conditioner is not controlled at our school, but rather by the central offices, we have ceiling fans to aid in cooling off on warmer days when the AC is not on.

Environmental ConsiderationsContinued

• Due to the nature of our population we have a number of students who are prone to loud outburst. To assist with this I have closed off the previously open library.

• Prior to this the library was open on both sides and all noise outside of the library could easily be heard and distracted the students working in the library.

• Closing off the library should help alleviate this problem.

Environmental ConsiderationsContinued• Recently I have been speaking

with behavior support at my school and Battle Monument and they have found that the sound of running water a fish tank has aided in helping BLS students calm down.

• Due to this discovery I will be installing 4 fish tanks/bubble tubes, 2 at each entrance, in the library.

The New and ImprovedWhite Oak School Library

BibilographyBaltimore County Public Schools. (2001). Library media center facilities

specifications. Retrieved from http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/libraryfacilitieselem.pdf

Maryland State Department of Education. (1998). Facility Guidelines for Library Media Programs. Retrieved from: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/EC67FB12-FE6B-464A-A2AD-D0C6307773E3/10028/MSDEFacilitiesGuidelinesforLibraryMediaPrograms199.pdf

Smith, Mary Olive. Engel Entertainment. Libraries and Autism Customer Service VIDEO. Retrieved from: http://www.librariesandautism.org/index.htm