Benefield Elementary School Media Center

Request for Renovation

Presented by Amanda Fox
April 11th, 2016

Background:
The layout of this media center has undergone some recent changes. Two major changes were the

addition of a Makerspace and an area near circulation for class work and a mobile lab. These additions have

happened in the last 6 months and have been successful. Use of these spaces is increasing as teachers see their

utility and as students get comfortable with the Makerspace.

DESIGN KEY

Coach Comfortable Chair Shelving Mobile lab cart

and Movable work tables Movable side table Large work table

CURRENT DESIGN
 NEEDS ANALYSIS & RENOVATION JUSTIFICATION
After speaking with the current Media Specialist and analyzing the space myself, there are a few

challenges cause by the current layout and additional changes that could me made to increase the utility and

functionality of the media center and make it more welcoming to elementary students.

1: The mentor text area at the entrance of the media center is for teachers only. There are high shelves blocking

this area from student view, thus creating a closed atmosphere as soon as students enter. I propose turning this

area into a seating area, where periodicals will eventually be displayed and be available for student

consumption. This will provide students a place to read and work independantly or in small groups. A movable

small work table is available in case students wish to use a laptop of other device in that area.
4. Mobile lab tops for
RENNOVATION PLAN
flexible usage.

3. Provided
bigger table
for larger
projects
and more
flexibility

5. Bigger
and more
flexible class
work space
2. Moved with lap top
from other cart and
side to open movable
space tables and
seating next
to reference
area for easy
research

6. By creating a
centralized teacher
workspace, more room is
available for student and
1: area changed 7. Moving MS classroom use. This is
desk out of 8. Additional seating also more functional for
from teacher available for flexible
main floor teachers.
mentor text space, creates work areas for
section to more room for students and teachers
student seating class work.
and work space
2. In order to create better flow and a more open space, I propose moving the large shelving section in the

Everybody section around to the opposite side. These keeps younger students from feeling closed off from the

rest of the media center and creates a more open floor plan.

3. In order to provide more flexibility in the Makerspace either a) small tables can be pushed together to make

larger tables to accommodate big group projects or b) larger tables may be used in this area. Also, more floor

space is needed in case students are working with robotics or on other projects that require floor space e.g. large

puzzles, larger Lego or architectural projects, Sphero programming, etc. By moving the reference section from

that area, more floor space is provided and the back door to the media center is not blocked.

4. In order to create more research spaces and spaces for group work, project based learning and individual

research, mobile carts need to be placed throughout media center. If a class wishes to check out two carts, they

will use the ones by the rear door. Also, if a class wishes to utilize laptops in the media center, the one by the

research area may be used as well as laptops already set up in the research/reference section of the media center.

Students will also be able to use laptops from carts while in the media center. They will be free to choose the

area in which they would like to work.

5. A large area for reference, research, and class work or lessons is needed. This will be a flexible space with a

range of seating options. Outlets are located throughout this area and a portable smart board is available if

needed. By increasing the size of this area, function of this space can be extended and the space becomes more

user friendly and is easily adaptable to the needs of teachers and students. Furniture in this area is easily

rearranged to suite teacher and student needs.

6. Mentor texts, poster maker and the laminator will be moved into a large storage room with video, books on

cd, and big book collections. This will encourage teachers to use those resources as well as create a true teacher

work space. This room will also have a coffee maker for teachers. Combining these resources into a central

location will free up space for student and class work in the main media center area. Teacher resources will also
be moved to this area so that the shelves on the main floor may be used for student reference materials and to

localize teacher materials.

7. By moving the Media Specialists desk of off the main floor, more room is created in the class work space.

This also provided the media specialist a more secure location for personal belongings.

8. In order to create a more relaxing and inviting atmosphere, more soft seating is required, with small work

tables that are easily moved. This provides even more spaces for work groups and individual readers to choose

from throughout the center. This also provides teachers with meeting places. Colorful couch covers and pillows

will make the media center more inviting to elementary school students and make the media center more

aesthetically pleasing overall.

FINAL DESIGN
 References

Woolls, B., Weeks, A. C., & Coatney, S. (2014). The School Library Manager (pp. 145-159) (5th ed., Library and Information

Sciene Text). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.