TIME TO TAKE ACTION!

STEPS

1. Get inspired!  Explore the RESOURCES below, visit other school libraries, look on Pinterest, in vendor catalogs, etc.

    See photos of some model spaces: Pine Grove MS,  Pikesville MS, Stemmers Run MS.  Loch Raven HS, Pikesville HS

2. Assess your current space: Look with a critical eye and have others look.

• How could the space be more student-friendly and learner-centered?  Focus on STUDENTS' needs.

• What could be removed, replaced, re-located or re-purposed?  Get rid of clutter and any items that are worn or dirty. 

• Is the collection well-organized and maintained?

3. Develop an Action Plan and budget proposal to share with the ODL library media team and your principal.

• Prepare to justify major changes and funding requests with a rationale explaining how the transformation will support student learning and school/district goals (SPP, STAT, etc.)

• Prioritize based on needs assessment and available funding. Do a "phased" plan for needs which cannot be immediately addressed.

4. Start making some transformative changes NOW! Even small changes can make a huge difference.

5. Share the news about your library's transformation with your school community, LMS colleagues and BCPS.

• Tweet photos and testimonials and publish in your Library e-Newsletter.

• Share ideas, resources and photos with LMS colleagues via new Space Transformation small group in Edmodo. 

•  TIP: Create a One Drive folder for your photos and share the view link on Edmodo. 

TIPS

• Involve students in re-designing the space. It's THEIR Library!  

• Start with space planning. Consider the 4 C's (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking) and accessing technology.

• Go beyond the furniture to address color/paint, signage, lighting, anchor charts, rotating book displays, student artwork, etc.

• Find low-budget solutions and DIY projects. 

• Appeal to your users with gender-neutral, age appropriate design & furnishings ... not too juvenile, too mature, or too trendy.  

• Include space for creativity & innovation like a Makerspace, Fab Lab, Collaboratory, etc. This could be "mobile" if space is tight.

• Clear clutter from back workrooms/AV storage areas to create a student learning space, like a TV Studio; contact Alex Wolf. 

• WEED first if necessary. Unappealing, aged titles take up valuable space and negatively impact the whole library environment.  

RESOURCES

• BCPS Learner-centered Environment Professional Learning Tool

• Library Marketing Plan by Jennifer Lagarde from School Library Marketing 101: It's About Students, Not Stuff  

• Local inspiration: BCPS Library Media Center Physical Space Designs 

• BCPS ODL Pinterest Board: Library Media Center Physical Spaces 

• BCPS Lighthouse Learner-Centered Environments  |  Wall Space  |   Setting Up Classrooms 

• BCPS ODL Resource Wiki: Learner-Centered Environments

• BCPS ODL Roadmap: Telling Your Story

• DRAFT MSDE Facilities Guidelines for Library Media

• Floor Planner online tool

• Articles:

• Why School Libraries are Transforming into Learning Commons, eSchool News

• 21st-Century Libraries: The Learning Commons, by Beth Holland, Edutopia

• Learning Spaces, by Diana G. Oblinger, Editor

• Something Different, by Kim Cofino, Always Learning: Teaching Technology Abroad blog

• Divine Design: How to create the 21st-century school library of your dreams, by Margaret Sullivan, School Library Journal

• Function Over Form: Transforming School Libraries from the Inside Out, by Marisa Amara, Demco Interiors Blog

• BCPS Contracted Vendors:

• American Design Associates 410-823-5500  George Schriener   Denise Lewis 

• Douron, Inc. 410-363-2600 ext. 3069 Bill Martin *Bill Martin is no longer the rep; ask for the BCPS sales rep.

• Reps for both companies will do a design consultation visit, bring brochures and samples, create a design for your approval, recommend furnishings for your space and budget, and provide pricing quotes.

• Mark Russell  mrus729@verizon.net  Phone:  410-803-1949 Cell: 410-599-1794  Contracted vendor for special/custom building projects in school libraries.  For example, he has designed whiteboard build-outs, bench seating with book cubbies, etc. 

• Harbour Signs (410) 488-8810  Inform them you are purchasing for a BCPS library for contracted pricing.

• Demco & Brodart (library supplies & furnishings) - Orders for BCPS will now be placed in eSchool Mall.

• If you do not already have an eSchool Mall account, you will need to register for eSchool Mall training to order from these vendor catalogs; discuss this with your principal. If you will not be a Procurement Card holder, you may access the vendors' public online catalogs to make selections, and have your ordering designee place the order in eSchool Mall.

• Funding Sources: Use your Action Plan and rationale for transformation to advocate for funding

• School-based funding (principal).  *If library budget is limited, consider low-budget solutions or DIY projects. 
• PTA funding
• Fundraiser proceeds 
• Scholastic Book Fair profits
• Apply for grants 

• Donors Choose

• Other ideas?