Library design - visual control

 

View from the St. Peter High School Library Media Center circulation desk. Every area of the room is easily seen.

 

Library media centers should not have areas that are difficult to supervise, even when there is only a single adult in the room. This means no hidden corners, no rooms without windows into them, no high bookcases behind which students can hide. (Note in picture above how book cases are perpendicular to the main area.)  And increasingly this means computer arrangements that make monitor screens easily visible.

Floor plans should be carefully studied to determine where kids might be - that YOU can't see.

(I am a big fan of breaking up spaces with walls that include interior windows - noise abatement but easily supervised.)

Any hidden space horror stories? 

Comments

[Archival Designs]

I like the idea of carefully designing spaces, such as libraries, that should be supervised at all times. It is very hard for one person to keep track of so many students but with the help of a functional floor plan the Librarians job is made easier. I believe Boys and Girl clubs should be designed with the same thought in mind.

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