Library Design Resources
I am extremely fortunate to work in a school that values school libraries. My secondary library is currently housed in a new building.
Following librarians on networks and social media, there seems to be a wonderful trend of school libraries being renovated or redesigned. Hopefully this is a sign that school libraries and their staff are being valued by their school leadership and communities.
In the process of moving into a new school library space, I needed a place to start collecting the library design ideas and the research I was finding. I’m putting it here in a hope it might be helpful for others as well.
This post will be updated as I come across more sites and resources. It will reflect my own design preferences, but also a general sense of the research and ideas out there.
Websites and Resource Curation
My Pinterest Library Design Board.
School Library Refurbishment Padlet created by Matt Deleon which is a collaborative space.
School Library Designing Website created by Hilary Hughes. Includes research, case studies and resources.
Articles
Library Spaces via Libraries Tasmania.
21st-Century Libraries: The Learning Commons.
Library Learning Spaces: One School Library’s Initial Design Brief. Anne Whisken. 2021. Synergy.
Learning Landscapes: Teacher-librarians in the design process. Anne Whisken. 2014. Synergy.
Ten ways to transform your library into a flexible learning space. Liza Moss. 2018. Connections.
Stewart, P. (2018). School library design, facilities and resources for sustainable cognitive and social development of students: An evaluative case study. School Libraries Worldwide, 24(2), 30. doi:https://doi.org/10.14265.24.2.003 (Freely available through the State Library of Queensland)
Harper, M., & Deskins, L. (2015). Using action research to assess and advocate for innovative school library design. Knowledge Quest, 44(2), 24-33. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.slq.qld.gov.au/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/using-action-research-assess-advocate-innovative/docview/1728273548/se-2 (Freely available through the State Library of Queensland)
Podcasts
Library Learning Commons – School Librarians United
Hygge and Happiness – School Librarians United
Communal Space – School Librarians United
Build it and See What Happens with Austin McChord – Make:Cast
Episode 86 Matt Pascoe – Ipswich City Council (about the design of the Ipswich Children’s Library)
Books
School Spaces for Student Wellbeing and Learning: Insights from Research and Practice. 2019. Hilary Hughes, Jill Franz and Jill Willis (eds.).
Erikson, & Markuson, C. B. (2007). Designing a school library media center for the future Rolf Erikson and Carolyn Markuson. (2nd ed.). American Library Association. (Freely available through the State Library of Queensland)
Bon, I., Cranfield, A., & Latimer, K. (Eds.). (2011). Designing library space for children. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. (Available through ALIA membership ebook library).
Sullivan, P. L., & Sullivan, M. L. (2014). High impact school library spaces : Envisioning new school library concepts : envisioning new school library concepts. ABC-CLIO, LLC. (Available through ALIA membership ebook library).