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Current floor plan
Our library is thoughtfully and carefully organized. For twenty years a dedicated, zealous, well-respected librarian organized the space and made changes as the school changed. I work in her legacy, and have only needed to make a few small changes. -
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Library changes - 2012 - future - the context
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2012
The collection has been weeded to keep it relevant, and to respond to reference material that has moved online. As a result the collection has shrunk sufficently that one row of stacks could be removed over the summer making more space for tables and chairs. We currently have room for about 45 students in a combination of round and rectangular tables. -
Computer lab
We have a computer lab with 30 desktops that also has room for 8 tables which each seat 6 comfortably, and 8 in a pinch. The space has been used for presentations with an audience of up to 90 (tightly packed, tables removed) people. -
Sitting area
In the back of the computer lab, which looks onto a treed courtyard, I've added a sitting area with an area rug, two chairs and a loveseat. The teacher reference collection is housed around the perimeter of the room. -
Staffing
We have had the same staffing since 2011: a full-time librarian (down from 1.2 fte), a full-time library clerk, and a .1 textbook clerk. We have a checkout counter with two stations. Ms. Walton is our new library clerk. -
Main library
The main library houses the main collection. All the wall space is covered with shelves. Almost all the space without shelves has windows and doors. Display space is somewhat limited (see displays on the row ends in the background). A computer "pod" of eight desktops and a cart of 30 laptops is available in the main library. Paper signs have been added in the last few years to indicate dewey organization and subject headings. -
Legacy "historical" lounge
The grad class of 2010 donated money to the library for a "historical" lounge. We have a lovely sitting area with a cabinet housing historical yearbooks and old trophies. -
Ways to improve accessibility #1 - Signage - rationale
People are becoming used to, and enjoying the experience of a bookstore, Chapters and Mosaic books in Kelowna. Both are lovely, comfortable spaces with comfy chairs, attractive displays, coffee shops, and books organized by category. Signage like the bookstores would add to the ambience we have already created. -
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Plans for better access
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More on signage rationale
What we can do is make the organization such as to encourage browsing and sitting with a good read. This not only replicates the feel of the stores, but fits in perfectly with the mandate of a school library. Moreover, a few items have moved in the last few years, leaving signs screwed into concrete walls in inappropriate locations. -
Signage option
The ends of the row signage works well as arrows. These signs will help students find books based on their OPAC searches. The image shows a great option. A few extra signs around the perimeter of the room will help everyone navigate the space. -
Sign #2
Subject and author signs help students shelf browse in a bookstore fashion. These second signs can be spaced throughout the collection to highlight popular authors (like Stephen King or Ellen Hopkins) or general topics (such as dictionaries, atlases, or World War 1). -
Ways to improve accessibility #2 - Relevance - rationale
The collection is getting smaller as reference moves online. Some reference material, however, is simply not being replicated online. We have a complete collection of the Okanagan historical society publications. They are not commonly used, but are used on occasion. BC and local history currently fits in the Social Studies 10 curriculum. These items are worth keeping, but make the collection look outdated. An archive will be created in space vacated by weeded VHS tapes. -
Improve accessibility #3 - New library automation system
The entire library is well used, but can be improved upon. A new library automation system being installed at the end of November will present opportunities for a more accessible OPAC (spell check, word prediction, book cover display, book collections), and I'd love to look into how to make the library more accessible with the new system, but until it's installed (Dec. 1), I don't know enough to create a detailed plan of action. -
Archives
Throughout the Spring, "archival" materials (books in the collections that appear old and make the collection look out-of-date), but important materials (mostly local history and well used items that are out of print and/or not replicated on-line) will be pulled and put in a newly created "archive" with signage to explain the space. -
New Special Collections
Starting in second semester, after we've been trained on our new library system, and been through textbook exchanges using the system, we can work with the bookbag feature to move the special collections currently on the webpage into the new OPAC. -
Marketing the new special collections
The new special collections could be ready quickly, or might take a while depending on how user friendly the new system is. When a significant number are ready to go I'll be letting the teachers for whom the collection was created know. However, I've learned others use the collections. A bookmark like my username and password bookmark highlighting some or all special collections would work well. -
Marketing #2
We have in the past brought attention to the library webpage by holding contests that require entries online. We prepare a simple google form, embed it in the sidebar of the webpage, and take the names of all entrants to draw the prize (ex. "Why I read" for Drop Everything and Read, favorite quote from a banned book for Freedom to Read). A contest could get people to look at the special collections.
