Facility
Library media center facility is conducive to learning and flexible to meet every student’s needs
Definitions
Overall Facility Design: Basic Considerations - Space Requirements and Design
1. The mission/philosophy of the school and its media and technology program
2. The curriculum, teaching methods, and learning styles
3. The quantity and format of resources and equipment
4. The number and age range of the school population
5. Special needs of diverse student populations
Important Elements of Good Design
Access - A highly accessible facility can maximize services and the use of all available resources.
Location - Factors such as convenience and proximity to instructional areas need to be balanced with security issues.
Facilities for Exceptional Children - Media and technology facilities must be barrier-free and able to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
Aesthetics and Atmosphere - An inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment can be created with simple solutions.
Ergonomics - Ergonomics maximize use of a facility and can also prevent physical strain and injury.
Mechanics and Engineering - Mechanics and engineering dramatically affect the operations within the facility.
Safety - Many, but not all, safety issues are addressed by building codes.
Security - The goal of any approach to security should be to increase the availability and access to resources for all users.
[From: IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs]
Additional Reading
Diggs, V. From Library to Learning Commons: A Metamorphosis. Teacher Librarian 36(4), 32-38, April 2009.
Diggs shares the story of the transformation of her Massachusetts high school library—both the facility itself and the program.
Everhart, Nancy.1998. Evaluating the School Library Media Center: Analysis Techniques and Research Practices. Libraries Unlimited, USA.
Chapter 4, “Facilities”.
Web Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm 
Design Considerations for School Library Media Centers
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/desgnlmc.html
IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs (PDF)
Revised 1/31/2008
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/IMPACT/
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Learning Environments: A 21st Century Skills Implementation Guide
Guiding recommendations, promising directions, action steps that can be taken to move states, districts and schools towards ensuring that students will be prepared for success.
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/p21-stateimp_learning_environments.pdf 
(397 KB)
[Photo courtesy New York Library Association]