Christina Paolozzi

MEDT 6461 Administration of School Media Center

Project 6C: Facilities
 Good Air Elementary School Media Center
Request for Renovation
Presented by Christina Paolozzi

Needs Analysis

Good Air Elementary School is home to 886 students from Prekindergarten through fifth

grade. There is one media center for the entire school population along with two external

computer labs located on adjacent wings, with approximately 30 computers per lab, for the

school. In addition, there is a rotating laptop computer station that is available for teachers to

sign out through the Assistant Principal of Instruction (API). However, upon examination of the

media center itself, several issues were discovered that were hampering the flow of information

and access of the materials. These issues included poor sight lines, inadequate instruction area,

and lack of space flexibility.

Two years ago, to increase space for student therapy and conference space, all of the

materials in the book room were moved to the library. The increase of large bookcases in the

library decreased the sight lines of the library. The influx of materials also led to a cramped and

cluttered feel in the library with little room for student or teacher access. This lessened area has

created a need for a larger space for faculty meetings. These meetings, which were once in the

media center, must now be conducted in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is generally a very

uncomfortable space and, often, unclean environment for learning. It is also very difficult to hear

and attention often wanes in this atmosphere. In addition, the conference room and storage rooms

off of the library are cramped and filled with outdated and unnecessary materials and equipment.

Currently, the media center has an issue with line of sight and space allotment. The media

specialist cannot see from one side of the library to the other without an obstruction, which is a

major issue for elementary students. Young students often get lost and cannot find books that are
appropriate for them. Older students find secluded areas to meet and talk to get out of class.

Teachers have been upset with the amount of time students are spending selecting books. Since

the budget cuts in 2014 eliminated the library assistant, there is only one media specialist in the

library at any given time so visual monitoring is an extremely important issue.

This past year, the computer table broke and needed replaced. As this was an unexpected

and additional expense for the library, no changes in that area will be needed at this time. The

area is open and the librarian is able to monitor this area with ease. Additionally, this is the only

area in the library with internet access, so moving the computers is not feasible at this time.

Space is another issue for the media center at Good Air Elementary. The conference

room is a dedicated room for the API. It houses all of the materials for testing as well as adopted

resources that cannot be discarded or eliminated at this time. However, the supply area and work

room off of the media center are not being utilized efficiently. They are both filled with

equipment and materials that are outdated and no longer needed. These items could be

reallocated or weeded to increase room space for student and teacher use. Additionally, the

circulation area is too big and bulky for its purpose. This area could be reduced to increase flow

of traffic and add space for student and teacher use.

Finally, by eliminating some of the unneeded materials, space can be opened up for

teaching. Currently, the media center is only being utilized to circulate books; most of which are

old and outdated. By thoroughly weeding and repurposing space, the media center can be opened

up for a true learning space. Pushing tall bookshelves to the outside of the perimeter and creating

an open floorplan will invite students and teachers to use the space for an active learning

environment.

Goals
 A renovation of the media center is needed to address the issues noted by the media

specialist. Quality revisions to the current floor plan are required to improve the overall quality

of the media program. Following are the goals of the renovation.

1. Adequate access to the media center print collection and technological tools will

provide students with the tools needed to master the new Georgia Standards of

Excellence which place an emphasis on reading across the curriculum, inquiry, and

digital learning.

2. Good sight lines will be used in the media center to allow for better supervision of the

students and create an atmosphere of learning.

3. The media center staff will be visible and accessible so students can easily seek

assistance when needed.

4. Adequate multipurpose areas will be created to accommodate various needs. Students

working to master the Georgia Standards of Excellence require areas to study and to

work on research projects as well as independent projects of interest. The media

specialist and teachers require areas to provide instruction on Georgia Standards of

Excellence as well as information and digital literacy skills (Klein, 2016).

5. The media center will have the ability to accommodate different activities and events

that demonstrate the Georgia Standards of Excellence mastered by the students.

Facility Renovations

Following are the specification required to achieve the renovation goals.

Goal #1: Adequate Access

The entire collection will undergo a rigorous and consistent weeding process to eliminate

outdated materials. (Darty, 2016).

 The computer labs will be monitored for outdated software/hardware or other

technological issues to ensure access for whole class groups.

The circulation desk will be reduced in size and moved back to allow more student and

teacher access.

Traffic areas will be increased to accommodate for access for all students and staff.

Casual readings areas will be increased to accommodate meeting and study areas with

natural and lamp lighting.

A volunteer schedule for parents and students will be implemented for increased access

to allow for media specialist to work with teachers and students more freely.

Reference and periodical materials will be highlighted with digital access to eBooks and

online resources (Bergman, 2017).

Goal #2 Improved Sight Lines

Most of the full bookcases will be moved to the perimeter of the library, with the

exception of the nonfiction area. Three tall freestanding bookcases will be at the south

end of the media center which will abut to work stations. This relocation will allow the

leveled books and teacher resources to stay in the media center, but will no longer

obstruct the flow or hinder sight of the media specialists.

Moving smaller three-shelf bookcases under the windows will increase sight line of the

younger fiction area and create a much-needed and cozy nook for read alouds and book

talks.

Goal #3 Media Center Staff is Visible and Accessible

The computer stations, both in the library and in the computer labs, with be operational

and accessible on a flexible schedule.

 Media specialist will be available for teacher planning and student learning. Volunteers

will be utilized to increase circulation and basic media needs to allow media specialist to

work with individual students and teachers.

The main working areas for the media center staff, the makerspace, the A/V room, the

circulation desk, will be located in a central location.

Goal #4 Multipurpose Areas

The Smart Board will be located in a central area and freely movable to accommodate

large faculty meetings and groups

Extra tables and chairs will be utilized to accommodate large groups and independent

work areas. Chairs will be comfortable, breathable, stackable, rolling chairs. Charging

areas will be available at these locations for iPads and BYOD devices (Marc-Anthony,

2017). Teachers, parents, and students will be comfortable learning in these areas.

The storage area will be cleaned out to accommodate a new Audio/Visual Production

Room. All outdated materials will be resourced or weeded.

The workroom will be cleaned out and repurposed to accommodate the Makerspace.

(Moorefield-Lang, 2017). Bookshelves will be taken out and replaced with desks for

workspace and overhead shelving/cabinetry for storage. The laminator and poster maker

will remain in this space.

Please see the attached diagrams which detail the floor plan before renovation (figure 1) and the

final floor plan after renovation (figure 2).

Figure 1
Figure 2
 Resources
Bergman, D. (2017). Libraries, cybraries, learning commons, makerspaces, and more! School

Library Connectionn. Retrieved from

https://westga.view.usg.edu/content/enforced/1428868-

CO.540.MEDT6461.XLS.M1.20181/Libraries,%20Cybraries,%20Learning%20Common

s,%20Makerspaces,%20and%20More.pdf?_&d2lSessionVal=lAKwTEhg6JNziubq08Bn

04lPE&ou=1428868.

Darty, K. (2016). More thrifty school library design tips. School Library Journal. Retrieved from

http://www.slj.com/2016/04/budgets-funding/more-thrifty-school-library-design-tips/#_.

Klein, M. (2016). 3 secrets to making your school library the place to be. Common Sense

Education. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/3-secrets-to-

making-your-school-library-the-place-to-be.

Marc-Anthony, J. (2017). Learncommon-Lacostacanyon-Hs-couch_corner. School Library

Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2017/05/industry-news/media-center-to-

learning-commons-one-districts-transformation/

Moorfield-Lang, H. (2017). Making, libraries, and literacies. School Library Connection.

Retrieved from https://westga.view.usg.edu/content/enforced/1428868-

CO.540.MEDT6461.XLS.M1.20181/Making,%20Libraries,%20and%20Literacies.pdf?_

&d2lSessionVal=lAKwTEhg6JNziubq08Bn04lPE&ou=1428868.