Library physical setup (furniture etc.) for digital

[L.E. Spear]

We have given every student a Chromebook laptop and the admin wants to remove all standing CPUs and computer desks from the library. I don't think this is a good idea until we have had the opportunity to do some due diligence, look for best practices etc. However since I just lost 18 computers and five bookcases over the summer, I doubt they are going to approach this in any considered deliberate manner.

 

Does anyone have info on furniture, best space configurations, retailers, etc. The people who make these decisions rarely come into the space and I would like to just stop them before the entire library disappears.

[Ashley Fetterolf]

The library DEFINITELY doesn't have to disappear just because the students have been given Chromebooks! In fact, the library can become a pivotal space for students to work together or individually with their new technology, to interact with information, and to collaborate and create new knowledge. It sounds like you're at the perfect point to create an information commons in your school! This could be a great opportunity to invest in great digital resources like databases and nonfiction ebooks, and great physical resources like popular fiction (which students still prefer to read over ebooks, in my experience). This is also the perfect time to start creating a really rich online presence for the library, like a student-run blog, research help, and technology tutorials.

In terms of furniture and retailers, if you have the budget or can get funding, I think Steelcase has great furniture for info commons because their pieces are meant to encourage flexibility in spaces. In terms of space configuration, make sure that plenty of wall outlets or floor outlets are available (and don't present a tripping hazard) so that students can charge their devices in the library. If you have a lot of space cleared up from losing 5 (wow!) bookcases, create a Makerspace and start hosting programs! You don't need a lot of complicated materials to get a Makerspace off the ground, either! Start small and grow as you find the funding.

KEEP your computer desks if you can! Even if students don't need school desktop computers, they will still need places to set up their Chromebooks and charge them, so the computer desks that you have will probably be great for that! And make sure that you have spare chargers in the library to check out to students when they forget their own chargers, which WILL happen DAILY.

[Javier Santovenia Diaz]

I think the most important thing is to survey users of the library.  The librarians works for them.