Designing a School Library Media Center for the Future

Sharing their experience of working on around 100 school building projects, Erikson (library media specialist, Minuteman School of Applied Arts and Sciences) and Markuson (a private consultant) provide a guide for library renovation efforts. They explain how to implement new school library standards and demystify changes resulting from technology, while paying attention to costs and addressing the special needs of children. Included are ten conceptual plans for actual school libraries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This book covers researching, planning, constructing, and moving into a new school media center. The chapters dealing with overseeing specification and bidding processes and meeting accessibility guidelines are particularly helpful. The text is broken into manageable bites with headings, listings, and sidebars that explain technical terms. Useful diagrams include the very necessary progress flow chart, a bubble diagram, and flat and three-dimensional architectural sketches. Cartoons and quotations lighten things up. Excellent appendixes include architectural symbols; space allocations and adjacencies; sample data forms; shelving, table, and chair measurements; furniture specifications and manufacturers; a list of selected readings; and some terrific Web sites. Buy this book for yourself and for all of the stewards of your project.-Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY

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