Tampines design
Catalogs of companies making library furniture/equipment
Furniture for Schools (UK)
Gresswell (UK)
Gaylord Brothers Library Supplies (USA)
-- e.g., genre spine labels
Brodart Library Supplies (USA)
Raeco Library Supplies (AUS)
-- e.g., genre spine labels
Promatech (Singapore library supply importer)
SIGNAGE:
Singapore library contractor recommendation:
As promised, here’s the contact for the contractor who provides library shelving systems, book drops, trolleys, etc., as well as renovation services:
Mr Cheng Yue Nam
Casey System Private Limited
32-A Haig Road
Singapore 438738
Tel: 68426789
Mobile: 98000678
Fax: 67496789
Email: caseysystem@pacific.net.sg
This is a very experienced, reliable and very easy to work with contractor – very accommodating, provides quality and value-added services and very prompt. They understand the library business very well and have provided shelvings for NLB in many library projects.
National guidelines re school libraries
Primary School Library Guidelines (CILIP, UK, 2004)
Various resources related to designing libraries
EXCELLENT RESOURCE: Designing Libraries: the gateway to better library buildings (UK). See, in particular, their photo gallery.
Prof. Stephen Heppell has some great resources and links to innovative learning spaces and their design
DesignShare -- designing for the future of learning (NB: not just via libraries)
Library Space Planning -- a website/project of Scott Bennett, a Yale University librarian emeritus, who has started "a multi-phase research project aimed at aligning the design of informal learning spaces more strongly with institutional values and mission."
Winter 2006: Thinking Ahead: ALA Presenters Consider the Future of Libraries, including Dr. Wendy Schultz of Infinite Futures (On the way to the library experience of the future)
The Future of Libraries:
Beginning the Great Transformation by Thomas Frey of the DaVinci Institute
Library Walls -- the Virtual School Library Project on The Ideal Library
Ofsted's March 2006 report "Good school libraries: making a difference to learning"
Trading Space: Reinventing the Library Environment by the South Jersey Regional Cooperative
Standards for school libraries:
Blog postings re library design:
Photos:
Two other sites, JISC Designing Spaces for Effective Learning and AMA Spaces for Learning conceptually explore the future of learning spaces with diagrams and photographs that can be applied to school libraries.
Strongest Links (UK) page on library design -- a few links and references, but not that many
Some websites used:
Glassed conference room
Good photo examples -- Beatty, Harvey & Associates -- more public libraries than school ones
More good photo examples -- Peter Gisolfi & Associates, architects -- both schools and libraries
Libris Design -- terrific docs on a variety of topics like acoustics, furniture, shelving, sustainable design, etc.
NCEF (National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities) Resource List for LIBRARY AND MEDIA CENTER FACILITIES DESIGN--K-12
Study on several university \"commons\"
WebJunction's Focus on Space Planning for Libraries
Good examples with drawings —especially of the Learning Centre p.22
Good summary of space concepts for e-learning and m-learning
Nice examples of Robin Hood library projects in NYC
Collaborative facilities integrate the services of information technologists, librarians, instructional technologists, multi-media producers, and many others to serve a wide range of faculty and student needs.—ie. Information commons
MEETING STUDENTS' NEED FOR LEARNING SPACES
During the 1990s, many planners recognized the importance of social study space in libraries: the second strongest motivator for building projects was the need to provide new types of student study space. The result was the allocation of more space for group study, food services, and socializing. Many libraries are discovering that there is no contradiction in thinking of the library as a place for socializing as well as for study.
Examples of information commons in university settings Elon University is very good example—see the photos.
Santa Clara University (California) library redesign project. The powerpt presentation of their survey] is informative of expectations. See also the overview of their building plan
Resource list
Photos of Univ of Calgary information commons
These are some clipped notes I compiled for library conceptual thinking:
Library Ideas
* Have seamless access to a wide array of software anywhere at any time from any location
* Collaboration and team-building have become common components of the teaching and learning process throughout the curricula
* Group research projects and conferencing are the norm, and active learning techniques are common
* Students need space to meet, to talk, and to collaborate
* Library design should "incorporate a deeper understanding of the independent, active learning behaviors of students and the teaching strategies of faculty meant to support those behaviors."sup1
* More integrated educational spaces
Information Commons
1. Info Commons workstations offer not only online library resources but a full suite of application software such as word processing, e-mail and Web browsing, supported by a robust network and server infrastructure
2. Information Technology Division (ITD), an active partner in the design and ongoing management of the Info Commons, occupies office space in the library alongside library staff.
3. Complementing the Info Commons is a range of teaching and learning spaces available
* instructional classrooms
* offer a variety of comfortable and flexible learning spaces, to support both focused individual work and group collaboration.
* breaking down the typical rectilinear configuration shaped by lines of structural columns and rows of bookshelves
* rolling upholstered chairs with tablet arms can work well in many classroom applications.
* computing should be wireless and mobile
* patrons should be able to get a cup of coffee and something to eat whenever they're hungry or tired
See below ideas taken from Forrest, C., et. al., \"Beyond Classroom Construction and Design: Formulating a Vision for Learning Spaces in Libraries\". Reference & User Services Quarterly v. 44 no. 4 (Summer 2005) p. 296-300. 3 Sept 2005
* small group gathering spaces for informal collaborative learning with comfortable seating, adequate workspace and equipment, and appropriate noise abatement.
* Computer clusters for more formal small group instruction using broadcast software (instead of projection) to send the instructor monitor image to the learner workstation monitors.
* Hands-on classrooms in both traditional rows and in more flexible arrangements made possible by moveable furniture, laptops, and wireless networking.
* Availability of Classroom-on-Wheels units with laptops and broadcast software to bring technology into learning spaces without permanent technology.
* Media viewing spaces with appropriate equipment.
* Event space for hosting guest lectures and discussions.
As a follow-up activity, each of four specific projects was detailed in a one-page précis.
* Hands-on Classroom
* Classroom-on-Wheels
* Software for Public Computer Clusters
* Media Viewing Facility
More:
* Information Commons
* Digital Library Centers
* Information Arcades
* Centers for Instructional and Faculty Development
* Centers or Classrooms for Instructional Delivery
* Facilities for Multi-Media Production
* Facilities for Multi-Media Delivery
* Centers for Distance Education
A few particular ideas that were repeatedly brought to my attention bear mention (taken from Univ of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada):
* Provide several spaces for quiet study;
* Group study space is in very high demand. Some institutions have developed "collaboratories" -- larger spaces with many computers and tables for group work and consultation. Or, design workstations with enough space for more than one student, as well as having additional chairs available;
* Include appropriate space for students with a disability;
* If feasible, provide a "presentation" room where students can practice making presentations;
* Provide as many power and ethernet outlets as possible, as well as the loan of laptops...this will expand the IC considerably without needing to add workstations;
* Students need computing space, but they also need good areas for reading, collaborating, and relaxing;
* Provide a space that is aesthetically pleasing and where some amount of food or drink is allowed since students will spend large amounts of time in the space. An attractive, comfortable space is much more conducive to work and study.
The value of the IC concept is that it provides a venue and support for the entire scholarly cycle, from research to knowledge creation. Because of this, reference, technical and instructional support are all requirements of a successful IC.
IT and Library--advantages of working together on one desk outweigh the disadvantages. Primarily it says to the user that the service they are using in the library has unified support, it also promotes librarians and technical assistants to learn more about each other and each other's work
Other thoughts—
Storytime room –noise level
More noise on first level—quiet second level.
Book transport to 2nd floor
Wet sink with workroom
Storage
Physical considerations:
(taken from Univ. of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
1. Identify how you understand your space. If it is just seen as learning space, then design it for that. If it is also seen as social space, then different criteria need to be considered.
2. Break up computers into smaller groups to give a human quality to the space.
3. Integrate computers with books if the space allows a coherent plan.
4. Provide several spaces for quiet study. Need to be very conscious of the amount of noise that will be generated by each activity in the Commons.
5. Include appropriate space for students with a disability.
6. Think creatively about space -- one idea I saw was a "News Center", a reading room with current print and electronic newspapers and news magazines, plasma screens with news feeds, and a newswire "ticker tape". Another institution had a Graduate Student Lounge, equipped with computers, tables and comfortable seating. It is worth considering different spaces for different constituents.
7. Allow as much natural light as possible by keeping furniture low, especially around windows.
8. Leave window areas for lounge seating and/or reading...students using computers don't need natural light and it can glare on the screen.
9. Students want computing space, but they also want good areas for reading, collaborating, and relaxing.
10. Group study space is in very high demand. Some institutions have developed "collaboratories" -- larger spaces with many computers and tables for group work and consultation. Or, design workstations with enough space for more than one student, as well as having additional chairs available.
11. Consider the workstation design depending on whether you want to promote individual or group work.
12. Design strong, sturdy workstations and other furniture, because students WILL sit on it.
13. Workstations with high sides make it difficult for students to see if a workstation is available.
14. Try to figure out a way to queue students or for them to identify free machines. See "Technical Assistance".
15. If feasible, provide a "presentation" room where students can practice making presentations.
16. Wireless is essential to allow for maximum access.
17. Loaning laptops is very popular with students and also extends your access capabilities.
18. Make sure tables and carrels have power and ethernet.
19. Many institutions have a "Technology Fee" that all students pay. The library gets part of that money and that allows for upgrading and maintenance of the IC.
20. And then there's the food. Almost every location allowed food and drink in the Commons and many institutions have cafes on site.
21. Many institutions put a lot of effort into the aesthetics of the space and it made a huge difference in terms of the quality of the environment. My assumption is that attractive space is much more conducive to work and study.
Seven spaces
1 Group teaching/learning
2 Simulation environments
3 Immersive environments
4 Peer-to-peer and social learning
5 Learning cluster
6 Individual spaces
7 External spaces
e-learning and *m-learning (* stands for "mobile learning" and refers to the usage of training programs on wireless devices like cell phones, PDAs, or other such devices)
* ubiquitous connectivity on and off campus
* wireless university
* streamlined administration files, course notes
* real time room booking management & monitoring
* video-streamed lectures
* classroom communication systems
* self assessment materials
* collaborative teaching across institutions
* using mobile phones and PDAs as learning devices
* E portfolios
* 24/ 7 access to facilities
Essential design qualities
* Scale and suitable dimensions for the learning style
* Air, heat, light and views - the boring basics
* Infrastructure - power, data
* Furniture
* Flexibility
* Sustainability
* Density, utilisation, space and facilities management
12 keys to successful learning spaces
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