Mayes-Alvidrez 1

Ashanti Mayes-Alvidrez

LIS 550

Dr. Najmi

14 February 2017

Adams Elementary: Standard IV Evaluation

Standard IV. Learner-Centered Library Environment – Strategies for Librarians

Principle 1. The design of the school library is aligned with the educational objectives of

the learning community. The library environment is designed for flexible access and supports all

educational objectives of the Library program. Educational specifications for any renovation or

proposed new facility will include a description of the proposed project expressing the range of

issues and alternatives, in accordance with 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 61.1036,

School Facilities Standards for Construction on or after January 1, 2004, Subchapter CC,

Commissioner’s Rules Concerning School Facilities. Acceptable Level in Strategy A below is

specified in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 61.1036, School Facilities Standards for

Construction on or after January 1, 2004, Subchapter CC, Commissioner’s Rules Concerning

School Facilities.

Adams Elementary receives a below standard rating for principle 1. The librarian does

not work with a design professional or consultant to gather input from others regarding the

functionality of the library. The librarian is also not familiar with the Commissioner’s Rules

Concerning School Facilities. The librarian also does not network with local, regional, state, and

national librarians to acquire trends in design.

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I am unaware and was not able to locate any of the library plans for Adams Elementary.

Therefore, I’m unaware of the exact square footage of the library and whether or not it meets an

acceptable standard. However, I can give an estimate of the percentages of space being used.

About 25% of the library space is used for the circulation area, office, and storage space.

About 40% of the space is used for student work areas. There is one section of tables and chairs

for older students (3rd-5th) and another area for younger students (PK-2nd). About 25% of the

space is used as a reading nook where younger students sit on the carpet for story time. The final

10% of the space is used for computer work spaces.

This particular area can be improved upon greatly in regards to the librarian becoming

more knowledgeable of the rules and regulations for school facilities and collaborating

effectively with other staff on the functionality of the space.

However, the actual renovation or future construction is all dependent upon budget.

Considering that the Adams library is only five years old, it is unlikely that any redesigns will be

budgeted for in the near future. There can be adjustments made to the arrangement of the current

furniture based on staff feedback.

Principle 2. The library is designed to serve as a flexible, functional, and barrier-free

simultaneous-use facility for individuals, small groups, and classes as described by state and

federal guidelines. The library is also designed to maximize the use of available space to permit

displays of student, faculty, and community-produced materials, and collections. The facility

provides all members of the learning community opportunities to explore and meet their

information and recreational needs during and beyond the school day. The library provides an

exemplary level of safety, security, and an age-appropriate facility for all individuals, small

groups, and classes.

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Adams Elementary receives an acceptable rating in this principle. This was a difficult

one to rate with certain criteria in the below standard range and other criteria in the acceptable or

even recognized range.

Adams does fall within the Advanced Tech level on the campus STaR chart and the

furnishings in the library are highly inviting, comfortable and age appropriate (both in the

recognized range).

The few items that fell below standard were that the shelving is very difficult to adjust,

and the overall design of the library does not make monitoring easy. There are columns between

the circulation desk and the student work area that limit the librarian’s view of almost half of all

of the students sitting in the work area. Also, the librarian is not aware of professional standards

such as the architectural and engineering standards published by the Illuminating Engineering

Society (IES).

Despite these few areas falling below standard, the other areas were in an acceptable

range. The library is overall welcoming and appealing, there is additional shelf space for growth,

there is display space on top of the book cases, and the library complies with ADA standards.