"Reading Room"
The numbers:
- Type of school: independent, grades 9-12
- Student population: 290 boys
- Age of library: @ seven years
- Collection size: 23,000 volumes, 100 periodicals
- Floor plan: 1 floor
- Number of computers: counted 7 at one long table; 4 normally found at tall kiosk-type tables at entrance
- Seating: Plentiful: study tables, carrels, soft chairs in various groupings
- Group study accommodation: 4 study rooms, 4 students each
- Teaching facilities: 2 seminar rooms, serviced by tablet computers
Observations:
There are a number of similarities between Salisbury School and The Gunnery:
- They are very close in size.
- Both schools’ libraries are located in classroom buildings, so traffic issues are similar.
- Evening study halls are held in both libraries.
- Increasing demand for group work spaces at both schools.
And some differences:
- The Phinny Library’s print collection is considerably larger than ours
- Of course, Phinny is practically brand new; it has a very traditional, formal look.
- Staff space is greater; copier is away from study areas
- Phinny Library can accommodate groups
- Seating arrangements offer better chance for quiet study
Librarians agree . . .
- Computers arranged side-by-side makes socializing easy; not recommended configuration in quiet zones;
- Reading areas next to computer areas will not be quiet spots; better to tuck small, comfortable seating areas away from circulation desk, copier, and computers;
- Open-stack shelving allows for “self-service” browsing to many simultaneous users.
In conclusion:
The open floor plan, and centrally located Circ Desk offer good visibility of student activity in the library. Group study rooms are great; given our space limitations, though, we might experiment with incorporating small study groupings into our stacks, in the way that Phinny has.
Good start . . . see more photos of our visit.
LibraryRedesign 