Capstone Project

Lisa-Dai Keen Venker

Lighting
Lights-I would prefer more natural light than any other if possible. However, hybrid natural/
non-natural will be needed. Incandescent bulbs will be used but only the 3500 which are not
too pink or too blue. We need to also be sure that they do not admit to much ballast noise. I
think indirect incandescent light should also be used when needed. Structures should be made
out of a matte metal that allows light to reflect up into the sky.
Light
Metal
Light
fixture

Floor
Natural light will work in our area especially since we are so much further than the equator
where too much light would be an issue. There should be direct natural light in the office space
with either windows or skylights or a combo of both. Computer areas should also have natural
light with as little glare on computer screens as possible.
All seated reading stations should have soft lamp lights for ease on eyes.
Perimeter lights should be mounted and face above the bookshelves, to give
additional light but not directly on the books or materials. Additionally, no ultra
violet light should be used. It is bad in excess of amounts to humans and to the
books in the collection.
Windows
Windows should be facing north where daylight is less direct. If possible
southern facing windows should also be used however; curtains or blinds
should be used for afternoon light. Other examples of indirect light should
be used when available. On such example is bounced natural light.

Other lighting concerns are that most areas that hold books do not have direct lights onto book
shelves but on aisle to save and help preserve materials. Computer areas should have the lights
that offer the least amount of glare. Aisle ways should also be lighted instead of book
shelves. All tables used for reading should also have soft reading lights for long periods
of reading. One area that should be darkened is the large presentation area in the library
that would be used for a multitude of uses. The ability to dim and close window and
blinds should be encouraged here.

Blinds & Curtains

Finally, blinds and curtains should be kept to a minimum so as to not
add dust. Vertical blinds should also be used instead because they can
be cut to fit window, replaced easily, are harder to collect dust and can
completely block light when needed. Another option is open-mesh
fabric. Mesh can be rolled up and hidden. It allows the holes in the
mesh to be open to some light. It also allows for glare control and
should be of neutral color.
Floor Finishes
Some of the floor finishes I evaluated all have the ability to meet ADA codes for handicapped
students/citizens. Some considerations of finishes include the material they are made from,
whether or not they release any harmful ingredients in the air, and how they need to be cleaned.
Again, no cleaning agents that have health/environmental concerns should be used.
For the entry or high traffic areas I chose a stone floor with a
slate/marble/limestone/granite finish. All of these stones hold up under
the harshest wear and tear, can easily be polished, and cleaned with
minor/non-strong soaps and detergents. Granite is the best choice and is
the hardest of the above stones. It can be made smooth or matte and is
easily polished. Granite of at least 2 centimeters thick should always be
used.
Carpet should be used in limited areas as it allows for collation of dust,
mites, and any spills. Acoustics is also important to libraries as carpet
helps to minimize any unnecessary noise. Tiles should be used rather
than whole pieces of carpet for a variety of reasons. They dont fray,
they allow for raised access for changes in the floor due to electrical or
construction concerns. Tiles can also be easily replaced when soiled or
damaged and the cost is minimal to whole floor carpet purchases.
Of carpet that can be purchased, one with 50% loop which is very
dense, and is usually not solid in color (easier to hide the stains), low
height is ideal and the density of the fibers should be 45,000 or higher.
The best cut of carpet would be ones with both cuts and loops. This
again helps to hide stains and allows carts and wheel chairs to easily
roll over them. Heathered yarn is great to use because it gives a
mottled effect even though it is solid in color, again stains. And finally, nylon is the best choice
for material due to its ability to not harbor as many mites and parasites as natural materials may.
Cork tiles are also very important in the use of the library. Pulling cork
from trees does little damage and is a renewable resource. Tiles are made
to be interlocking which allows them to easily be replaced. 5/16th is the
best to use as it is heavy duty, and durable. Cork itself is unicellular, is
made of 80% air and can easily recover to its natural thickness when
compressed. Cork is also great on the foot because of its ability to
compress. It absorbs sound and it often found in natural and neutral warm colors. It is low

maintenance and only requires mild soap and water to clean. Some
disadvantages are that UV light will warp and discolor cork.
However, the cork in the floor at the University of Berkeley has lasted
for 60 years. It was just recently replaced.
Ceiling
All colors in a library should be warms colors and earth tones.
The ceiling should be used to
bounce light, allow for recessed
lighting, and to give indirect light.
Some ideas to help make libraries
more natural and outdoors-like is
to add items to ceilings. One item
that could be used i s dropped or
attached pieces of molded acoustic blockers. Glass reinforced
gypsum is a great choice to block and absorb sound as well as helps
to diffuse direct light. Gypsum is high strength, light weight, can be easily molded to any shape,
and is non-combustible. It is also easily taped and can be painted which allows for a variety of
decorative ideas. 1/18th 3/16th is less expensive than plaster. I would love to see a basic painted
ceiling with added shaped gypsum. Using shapes like those of a cloud could lead visitors to just
look up stare and imagine what each piece might be floating above them while they read.
Paint
Latex paint is easily cleaned and is the best choice for libraries. Flat
or matte should be used because they are low glare. Flat should only
be used on ceilings. Regular walls should use eggshell coating
which is washable and durable. Multi-flecked paint is best as it
easily hides stains and is easy to clean, however, it is hard to match
or duplicate when needed to be repainted.
Other Ideas
I like the idea of 2 floors. The second should be open to the one below and wall and railing
should be holed so that sight access is available to librarians. I also saw one having a mixed high
and low ceiling to be an advantageous. It allows for better air movement, different acoustics
when needed to present to large groups, and to accommodate a variety of light.
I like having an open but gated/fenced storage area where items
can be monitored in the open because behind the counter space is
at minimum. It also allows electric items to be plugged in but
again has air flow so that they dont overheat. At one school I
saw a very round and open circulation desk and round library area
so that all students, books, and equipment can be seen easily.
Still, another school had periodicals stored in large moveable
cabinets. I saw something similar at a doctors office where the

cabinets sit on tracks and can be cranked to move left or right. The more storage available the
better as space is always at a minimum.
A small group or private computer carousels might also be ideal for students who really want to
focus and work on assignments. I also believe computer areas should be created so that
keyboards fit under desks at hip height and the desk above is allowed to be open for books, study
materials, and personal items. I would also prefer flat screens so that more space is available on
the desk top.

When Shopping

Circulation Desk
I found a display case that could be used as a circulation desk. This was unique in that it
included open shelf areas, enclosed glass shelf areas, and solid wood storage behind the counter.
It was very much like something you would find at a jewelry store. I thought the extra storage
and glass shelves could be used for displays as LMSs are always trying to advertise their items.
Found at Displaystogo.com.

Magazine Rack
Another great find was a rotating magazine rack. It allowed visitors
to see the title and some of the magazine, enticing them, and allowed
up to 40 to be held at one time. A great space saver, also found at
Displaystogo.com
Tables
Regular Tables

Tables that have radius style edges allow for

less
sharp edges to harm users. Laminate,
however not the best to use, is a great option
in
that you can get mixed colored tops which
allow
for hiding wear and tear. The variety of
colors is also of wide range. One specific
table
I liked was found a Demco. It is the
Paragon Infinity (TM)
Lib Table. The laminate is 1-1/8th thick with particle board and is impact resistance. The great
thing about this is the legs are adjustable for both handicap accessibility and for different sized
students.
Computer Tables
Again from Demco I found a Paragon Challenger Series that allows tables to
be moved in circular or serpentine pattern. The desk has
a recessed keyboard at hip height and an upper shelf area
on the sides for cups, pens, etc. The desk area itself is
flat and open to allow for lots of work. The CPU cart is under and to the
sides of the desk. Finally it has a pug area, and is moveable. Another one
that was similar holds 3 students with a very similar lay out.
Signage
Having large ADA approved signs is a must.
Some are 3-D made of foam, whiles others are flat with metal or
plastic materials. An outside electronic sign may also be
advantages to advertise items and uses of the library. I really
liked the signs that stuck out of each aisle. I found range finder
signs at Demco that are made from a clear styrene plastic. They
open on the top for easily switching out 3 x 5 signs. For other
signage, I liked the classification sets from Demco that had both the general title, picture, and
Dewey numbers on it. I did find some signs that could be used on for room identification at
Demco. They were called Intera Sliding Panel Signs. They showed rooms as vacant or
occupied, were ADA approved, and had grade 2 Braille writing.
Shelves
One thing I learned through reading was to get book shelves with backs to
them so books dont get lost behind them. Some things that I thought were
important in shelves are that they are mobile and made of solid wood, or at
least veneer. At Demco, I liked the Paladin; they
offer shelving that comes in sections or pieces. They
also offer seating areas in the corner of shelves with
cubby areas underneath for again, more storage. They moveable pieces
can be used to make many shapes and patterns depending on floor plan. I
liked the variety and style they offered. The options would allow any
LMS to alter or change the library should the need come.
Chairs

I choose more traditional seating with little to no cushions. My concerns were for the cleaning
and harboring of chemicals, allergens, stains, and bacteria that can be found in
cushions. Of those, I looked for chairs that were solid wood, and that could
handle even the heaviest students, and would indeed last forever. They also have
vertical slats that allow the back to move or shift in the chair for comfort. No
arms should be used to again leave for shifting of the body and the oversize
shape of possible students. I found at Highsmith chairs called
Community Addison Library Chairs. They were all wood,
had curved back for better posture and a curved buttocks
area. They are also kiln dried to resist wear and tear and the ageing of wood.
They did come in many colored wood, and had both armed and non-armed
varieties. Some negatives were that they were not stackable and had no
storage underneath for books.
Other chaired areas should have lounge tables and maybe even caf chairs to encourage students
to come in relax and read. I found one great over size chair again at Highpoint. I believe it
maybe pleather which again leaves for easy cleaning and no cushion harboring to toxins. These
chairs were deep and looked like that they would allow students to bend their knees and cuddle
with a good book.

Resources
Bertland, Linda. (n.d.). Resources fro school librarians. Retrieved from
http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/building.html
Deen, Edward, and AIA. (2005). Day lighting design in libraries. Retrieved from
http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/DaylightDesignLibs.pdf
Designshare.com, Initials. (2009). Design share designing for the future of learning:
Imagining the future of the school library. Retrieved from
http://www.designshare.com/index.php/articles/school-library-future
Division of Instruction and Staff Development School Library Media Services Branch,
Initials. (1998). Facilities guidelines for library media programs. Retrieved from
http://libadmin.pbworks.com/Facilities-West-Towson-Capstone-Project
Henrico County Public Schools, Initials. (2006, April). Henrico county public schools.
Retrieved from http://libadmin.pbworks.com/Facilities-West-Towson-Capstone-Project
Johnson, Doug. (2000, May/June). Doug Johnson: Designing Digital libraries. Retrieved
from http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/designing-digital-libraries.html
Johnson, Doug. (2007, June). Doug Johnson: some design considerations. Retrieved
from http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/some-design-considerations.html
Lamb, Annette. (2007). The School library media specialist: program
administration: facilities management. Retrieved from
http://eduscapes.com/sms/administration/facilities.html
Melman, David and Architectural Lighting Design. (2005). Lighting for libraries.
Retrieved from http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/LightingLibraries.pdf
Morris, Beverly. (2004). Library interior finish materials. Retrieved from
http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/LibraryIntFinMat.pdf
Office of Library Information Services, Initials. (n.d.). Library media center. Retrieved
from http://libadmin.pbworks.com/Facilities-West-Towson-Capstone-Project
The Maryland State Department of Education, Initials. (1987). Standards for school
library media programs in Maryland. Retrieved from
www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/...FE6B.../SLMStandards.pd

Williams, Inger M. . (n.d.). Computer ergonomics for elementary school. Retrieved from
http://www.orosha.org/cergos/index.html
Online Stores:
Displays 2 Go http://www.displays2go.com/main.asp
Demco http://www.demco.com/
Highsmith http://www.highsmith.com/
Gaylord http://www.gaylord.com/
Gress Co. LTD http://www.gresscoltd.com/

Workroom
& Space

Educational
books that
included
pedagogy

Teachers

TV/DV
D
Retriev
al
System

Referen
ce

Nonfiction

S
e
c
u
r
i
t
y

Sign
age
Ficti
on
At
least
15,00
0

Book
s
DVD
s

CD/Ta
pes

Magazine
s (3050)

Wh
eel
Cha
ir

Student

Handicap
accessible
Sig
ht

Heari
ng

W
or
k
ar
ea

Des
k&
chai
rs

Administration
Private
Librarian
locked space &

Cha
irs

Play
aways

for
teache
rs,
student
s, and
libraria
ns

Comput
er lab

Group
work
areas
Researc
h area

Areas to
read,
view, and
listen

Large group
area (36)
Readi
ng
Areas

Small group
area (34)

At least
1
Compu
ter
Lab

Desks for

circulation,
Librarians desk,
office
assistance,
students,
computers,
work areas
CD
player

At least
2
classroo
ms

(Should

Library Media
be handicap assessiable)
Gro
center
up
Are
Furniture
as

Materials
based on
class
subject and
enjoyment

Comp
uter

Work room, binding,

repairs, sink, office
needs, etc.

work areas.

Media

Storagepersonal items
and library
items

Technology

Safari
Montage

Shelves,
areas,
classroo
ms, etc

Books/CDs
with
activities
that fit
teachers
subjects

Books with
activities
that fit
teachers
taught age
ranges

Multimedia
tools for
students,
directors, and
broadcasters

Directors
space &
equipmen
t
Network
drops

TV Studio

Wiring

Digital
Photography
Headphones&
microphones

Editing Space &

equipment

Telephone
&fax

Broadcasters
space &
equipment

Technology
Videosretrievalsystem

Computers(36)
CDRom

Photo
copier

Internet

Projector
Overhead

TV

Whiteboard
Printer

Memorysupplies
&Drives
Electronicreference
circulationsystem

Promethean

Screen

Safari
montage