Seeley G. Mudd Libraryand Kutler Center

Harvard-Westlake Upper School

Renovation, 2011-2012

Highlights

• Accommodate wide variety of work styles

• Ubiquitous electrical access-- outlets & usb

• Flexible furniture, student designed groupings

• Increased access: 2 new doors = more traffic

• Change in floorplan/walls allows better flow

• Bright open airy feel

Mai

Mudd Library, Upper, Main and Lower levels, with bridge to Kutler classroom and office above, right

East end of main level: magazines, printers and desktops (beyond), and librarian’s workroom (window). All tables and carrels are wired.

Student printing station, next to desktops. USB cords allow student with their own laptops to print. When we go 1:1 next year we will implement wireless printer from student laptops. Currently that is possible only with circulating library laptops. NOTICE the water fountain in back: hugely important.

Desktop workstation are useful for quick jobs: printing, downloading, checking assignments. Even students who bring their laptops like the convenience.

West end of library, main level; stairs down to lower level and up to upper level library and Kutler Center.

Upper level of library, looking across bridge to Kutler classroom and office.

Upper level of library (West), looking across to Kutler bridge and classroom and down to main level library.

Challenges

• Outlets in floor: balance flexibility with safety

• Lighting: even with careful planning, fixes were needed

• Extra doors = increased traffic and noise

• Silent Study allows for a more ‘active’ library

• Extra doors = possible increased book loss

• Beware Hi-Design Syndrome: features that look great but are a bear to implement or use

Lower level library: student created spaces, comfy seating and stools, cozy lighting. This flexibility is one of the really successful features of our library design.

Problems with the floor outlets. These ‘spines’ were not tough enough for our students, so we attached the cord to follow a table leg down to the outlet. Would want to plan table positions better to match floor outlets.

Kutler Center classroom: folding glass wall can open out to attractive reception space. Not very practical as a sound barrier. The room itself is echo-y, hard to teach in, but students often use it for quiet group work.

Silent Study is self-monitored, and is always silent. 38 carrels allow for spillover during periods when the main library gets louder; extended time testing happens here.

Having a space for Silent Study is key to allowing the main library to be occasionally boisterous. As long as there is space for students to go for focused work, students who need a higher level of energy/activity can also work at their comfort level.