https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design Reinvent your library for the 21st Century Learner en-us 2018-03-15 13:52:23 UTC 2023-02-17 23:15:50 UTC hello@padlet.com wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242369845 This is a great article that describes technology integration (robotics rooms), safety and security (video monitoring, shelters), transparency (wall-less rooms), multi-purpose spaces (movable furniture, even foldable walls), and outdoor learning (covered spaces). ]]> 2018-03-15 14:10:59 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242369845 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242392892 Okay - this may be sky's the limit for most of us, but as school librarians, we can take mini pieces of these to incorporate into our spaces.]]> 2018-03-15 14:42:54 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242392892 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242399351 The "shhhh'd" libraries of old are no longer places for our modern world. Libraries today are places for collaborating and creating. In redesigning your library, first get inspired. Watch videos, read articles, write down what features you want to incorporate (or better, survey your students on what they would like), walk the space and imagine. The possibilities are endless: MakerSpace area, Robotics arena, movable furniture - including moveable bookshelves, reading nooks, white board paint, and/or an AppleTV.  Take photos of your current corners and walls; then draw over them with colored pencils on how you can transform your space.  Add plants, water features, or lamps.  Whatever you decide, make sure that you are consistent with color. We recommend choosing two main colors and one accent color.  That way, you'll get a cohesive look.]]> 2018-03-15 14:51:46 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242399351 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242404119 This is one of my favorite TedTalks. It is almost 13 minutes long, so plan to watch when you can relax. Its inspirational, motivational, and encompasses why we have libraries: for imagining, creating, and connecting.]]> 2018-03-15 14:58:47 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242404119 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242416915 This article focuses on libraries changing role towards becoming learning commons.]]> 2018-03-15 15:16:08 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/242416915 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243054453 After envisioning your space, make a list of items the you'll need to buy with estimated costs. For some schools/districts, there are regulations on which vendors to use. For example, Jeffco requires that we use Hon or Virco for our furniture products. However, if you can get approval 
from your facilities manager, you might be able to bring-in non-upholstered furniture. So, this is a good area in which you might to DIY it. I'd like to create a new books or feature display table  as you walk into our library. I'd like to pickup an antique round table at a yard sale, sand an paint it in our new library colors.  Online shopping sites like www.paperlanternstore.com offer great decor elements that perk-up space.  In any case, figure out your budget and determine where you might need to splurge, and where you might have to DIY it.]]> 2018-03-17 10:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243054453 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243054997 This is a cheap way to spruce up classrooms and libraries.]]> 2018-03-17 10:07:06 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243054997 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243055404 Here is a budget that I planned a couple years ago when our school was adding two grade levels. Be flexible with your budgets as our e-library books got scaled back after we analyzed they received low checkouts. So, we used that money for sprucing-up the library decorations, and adding new YA fiction.]]> 2018-03-17 10:10:50 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243055404 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243055782 If you've got a tight budget and not a lot of time, collaborate with a teacher on a re-design PBL. Here is an assignment in which students have to re-decorate our library with a $500 budget. Our theater teacher is giving it to her class as part of their set design and staging unit.]]> 2018-03-17 10:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243055782 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243056108 These are the Jeffco Generation colors. We will be implementing
three of them (two main + one accent) into our library re-design. Keep a copy in your purse or planner as you are out-and-about. That way, if you run into something that might fit in your library, you can pull out this color pallet.  Paint swatch samples are another great color tool too keep handy on your self for those spontaneous purchases.]]> 2018-03-17 10:18:11 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243056108 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243057377 Look for grant opportunities. And yes, there are some for library re-designs. If you are in Jeffco, there is a grant newsletter that you can subscribe to receive. ]]> 2018-03-17 10:31:08 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243057377 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243057498 If you are feeling overwhelmed at having to do it all yourself, delegate work to your teacher  assistants (TAs).  At Jefferson, I had my TAs paint block letters, hang lanterns, and assemble cheap furniture. My TAs also put contact paper on trash cans and inside book shelves.]]> 2018-03-17 10:32:29 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243057498 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243058243 The public loves to support our local school libraries. If okay with your district, try sites like DonorsChoose.org or GoFundMe.com ]]> 2018-03-17 10:39:54 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243058243 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243059681 Here is an example of what painting can do: letters and walls. ]]> 2018-03-17 10:52:46 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243059681 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243200756 Once you start re-decorating and designing your space, it won't all happen overnight.  It is a process and may take at least a year. First weed your shelves and clear-out the old. That way, whatever you bring in will be color-coordinated with your design palate. Shop year-round:  store sales post-season, garage and estate sales, Craigslist and Offer-Up, and anywhere you go - keep in mind your library decor. I recommend doing just one area at a time. For example, I am working on a teacher collaboration corner: posting a "Guru" wall of teachers self-reported areas of expertise, a bookshelf with coffee, M&Ms, office supplies, and a few good professional books, a decorative lamp, a fake tall tree, and a bistro table with four nice stools. This is just one corner of my library. If I get this done in a month, I'll be happy and will then move on to another part of the library. But, everything I bring in will be coordinated with the color palate we have selected.]]> 2018-03-18 15:22:00 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243200756 wwalter https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243207966 This is a great article that focuses more on just re-decorating your library spaces on a budget. There are lots of great photo ideas.]]> 2018-03-18 16:15:09 UTC https://padlet.com/wwalter/3Steps_Library_Design/wish/243207966