Memo

To:

Aaron Lamport, Architect at Beyer, Blinder, Belle

From: Jackie Suzich, Maryvale Elementary School Library Media Specialist

CC:

John Doe, Maryvale Elementary School Principal

Date:

4/28/2016

Re:

New Library Design Requests

The Maryvale Elementary School media center is the heart of our school. It is centrally
located in the building and it is at the core of instruction. I am happy to be working with you,
and have looked at some of the other library renovations your firm has done recently. I
would like to give you some information about our current space, along with our future needs
and I look forward to meeting with you in person soon and walking you through our current
space.
Maryvale Elementary School currently houses approximately 600 students in several
different programs including 4 different pre-school programs, and elementary school
students in kindergarten through 5th grade. Approximately half of the K- 5 students are in a
French immersion program, while the other half are taught in English in a regular elementary
school program. The housing of the French immersion program increases the need for the
size of the library collection at the school - ideally it would be double that of an English-only
school and provide equal resources in French and English. French materials are more
difficult to obtain though, so our collection isnt quite double that of an elementary school of
comparable size. Our current building was originally a middle school, and we have
benefitted from the larger media center normally provided for middle schools. I would like
enlist your help in advocating for a space similar in size to what we have now because our
space needs will increase.
When we move to our new building, the school will also be serving approximately 100
additional elementary school students with physical and learning disabilities who are
currently educated in a separate school. The school system is eliminating all stand-alone
facilities for students with disabilities in favor of placing the students in more inclusive
environments. As a result, the new media center will need to have all areas accessible, as we
are certain there will be students with disabilities regularly using the media center. Many of
these children will be in wheelchairs, so push-button operated doors, wide aisles, tables that
will accommodate wheelchairs, and low signage will be needed.
You will see our currently facility when you visit, but I would like to share with you the
aspects of the current space that are working well: The location of the library at the center of

the building is perfect. There is high visibility, and accessibility to the space. The computer
lab is adjacent to the media center and accessible from the center or from another hallway,
which is ideal. I would like the new computer lab to also be adjacent to the media center and
accessible from it. If there will only be one door into the computer lab, the lab should be
located in an area of the media center away from the teaching area so that classes coming in
just to use the lab with a teacher will not disturb instruction in the media center.
The media center currently has several distinct areas.
There is an area with comfortable furniture at the entrance, opposite the circulation
desk. The magazines are located in this area and it is a nice area for students or
adults to sit and read, chat, or wait for someone if needed. It is important that the
circulation desk be located near the door in order to monitor students entering and
exiting the media center.
There is an area opposite the main entrance to the library with a fixed Promethean
board and a carpeted area for student seating in front of the board, and tables on
wheels behind the carpet for classroom instruction at tables.
There is another area with a carpet for on-floor class instruction along with 4 tables
of 3 computers each that is bordered by bookcases. There is enough separation for
students to work at those computers in small groups or for a teacher to have small
group instruction without disturbing a larger class in the area with the Promethean
board.
There is a bank of 10 computers along the wall to the side of the area with tables and
chairs. These are most often used by staff members who do not have a classroom or
office, and sometimes by students before and after school or during lunch.
There is a small office with desks and a telephone for the media assistant and media
specialist. A phone is important for contacting vendors as well as contacting parents
about overdue books.
There is a workroom with storage space, tables, counters, and a sink. Having a sink
in the facility is important. This workroom is also occasionally used for small group
or one-on-one instruction or private meetings. It is one of very few rooms in the
building that is private.
The television studio is nearby, just outside the media center through the adjacent
copy room.
The current layout of the library is almost ideal, with regard to the different areas, size, and
spaces. It is important to have a clear line of sight from most places to minimize students
misbehavior, and the open design of the current media center works well. Also, it is
important that all non-wall shelving and furniture be movable tables and lower bookcases
all on wheels. Quite often, the furniture and shelving is moved to accommodate different
events such as author visits, professional development and staff meetings, and book fairs, and
the furniture and shelving get moved often for different events. Flexibility is crucial in the
new building as well.
A few aspects of the current media center that need improvement are the heat/air
conditioning, lighting, and access to electrical outlets. Ideally, the new media center will be
able to control the

climate. The current media center is most often too humid, and most often either too hot or
too cold, often alternating throughout the day. This atmosphere is not good for the staff,
students, books, or technology in the media center. The lighting should also be adjustable in
the different spaces, and windows should have window coverings which can be closed at
times of day when the sun is blinding and makes instruction difficult. There should be an
additional computer near the circulation desk dedicated to the library catalog for library users
to search the collection. Lastly, many additional electrical outlets are needed in the new
facility to accommodate
In summary, the new media center should contain:
Circulation desk area at entrance
Comfortable seating/reading area at entrance
Wheelchair accessible seating
Handicapped accessible doors and aisles
Low signage for students in wheelchairs
Area with Promethean board, carpet, and movable tables/chairs for class instruction
Separate area for small group instruction
Adjacent computer lab
Approximately 25 computers in center: 12 for small group; 10 for intermittent use, 1
for Promethean board, 1 at circulation desk, at least one for library catalog near
circulation desk
TV studio adjacent to media center
Office area with telephone
Work/meeting room with sink and storage
Moveable furniture and bookcases
Additional outlets
These features will allow flexible use of the media center and allow or different types of
instruction and changes in future technology. I look forward to meeting with you soon to
discuss the design in more detail.