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 * A Wishlist**

As a media or technology staff member who has middle school experience, I would value your ideas regarding a potential new middle school. Now is the time to reflect and ask yourself, "If I could design a new middle school, I would make sure to include _ __or not to include__ _." If you are willing to participate, simply click EDIT, type your information, and then save. Feel free to visit more than once. I have broken this down into two separate sections: Media and Technology. I am going to a meeting on Friday, May 1 to brainstorm for a new middle school with architects. Again, I VALUE YOUR INPUT! Don't worry about format; I just want ideas!

Thanks for all that you consistently do to support the Media and Technology Program! Tom

=**Media Center Ideas**= From IMPACT:
 * Mounted data projector
 * Electronic screen
 * No media retrieval
 * At least 15 computer work stations that allow for collaboration, information skills instruction, online research, etc.
 * Security cameras or security devices and monitor to help keep stealing/vandalism to a minimum (in library and computer labs)
 * Wood shelving and furniture

VISUALIZING USE OF SPACE
Media center facilities can include a variety of areas or rooms. In selecting the areas, each space must be justified by a close link to the program objectives that will be advanced by including these areas in the facility design.

SOME KEY DESIGN QUESTIONS
In planning and designing the school library media center, many questions must be answered, including, but not limited to, these:
 * 1) How many square feet does a school library media center need?
 * 2) What are the needs and requirements for each area of the center?
 * 3) What furniture and equipment are appropriate for the various areas and what specifications should be considered for each?
 * 4) Where and how will furniture and equipment be stored?
 * 5) What general technology infrastructure should guide purchasing and installation decisions?

CHARTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
The remainder of this section provides charts of recommendations for planning an effective multipurpose school library media center.

MEETING RECOMMENDED MINIMUMS
All schools should have school library media centers no smaller than the recommended minimum square footage listed in the chart below. Since schools with enrollments below 400 must offer the same scope and variety of resources as schools with higher student enrollments, their space requirements will be similar. Schools with more than 400 students should use guidelines in the chart below for additional space allotments.
 * =====**MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SIZE FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS**===== ||
 * From //North Carolina Public Schools Facilities Guidelines// (revised September 2003), developed by School Planning, NCDPI, available at <[]> ||
 * **ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS** || At least 2800 sq. ft. + 1200 sq. ft. for support areas ||
 * **MIDDLE SCHOOLS** || At least 3400 sq. ft. + 1800 sq. ft. for support areas ||
 * **HIGH SCHOOLS** || At least 3600 sq. ft. + 2000 sq. ft. for support areas ||
 * PLANNING FOR MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS**
 * = ====**PLANNING FOR MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS**====

= ||
 * From //North Carolina Public Schools Facilities Guidelines// (revised September 2003), developed by School Planning, NCDPI, available at <[]> ||
 * **ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS** || 4-6 sq. ft. per student for the school library media center ||
 * **MIDDLE SCHOOLS** || 4-6 sq. ft. per student for the school library media center ||
 * **HIGH SCHOOLS** || 4-6 sq. ft. per student for the school library media center ||

SUPPORT AREAS
The size and types of various support spaces needed are dependent upon the size and grade level of the school. The charts that follow list some typical support areas and their recommended sizes, including recommended square footage for office, workroom, storage, and video production areas.
 * = ====**RECOMMENDED SIZE FOR TYPICAL SUPPORT AREAS: OFFICE, WORKROOM, AND STORAGE**====

= || [|top]
 * From //North Carolina Public Schools Facilities Guidelines// (revised September 2003), developed by School Planning, NCDPI, available at <[]> ||
 * **AREA** || PLAN FOR: ||
 * **MEDIA OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION** || 200 sq. ft. + 50 sq. ft. for each additional staff member ||
 * **WORKROOM** || 400-600 sq. ft. ||
 * **PROFESSIONAL AREA** || 150 sq. ft. ||
 * **CONFERENCE ROOM, SMALL OFFICE** || 150 sq. ft. ||
 * **EQUIPMENT STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION, AND MAINTENANCE** || 175 sq. ft. ||
 * **PERIODICAL STORAGE** || 150-200 sq. ft. ||
 * //Periodical storage may be reduced where a majority of back issues are available online//
 * =====RECOMMENDED SIZE FOR TYPICAL SUPPORT AREAS: VIDEO PRODUCTION AREAS===== ||
 * From North Carolina Public Schools Facilities Guidelines (revised September 2003), developed by School Planning, NCDPI, available at <[]> ||
 * AREA || PLAN FOR: ||
 * VIDEO STUDIO || 400 sq. ft. ||
 * CONTROL AND EDITING || 260 sq. ft. ||
 * EQUIPMENT STORAGE || 80 sq. ft. ||

LARGE GROUP INSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Whole class instruction, study, reference, viewing, listening, reading, browsing, professional development programs, meetings, presentations

SIZE
Large enough to accommodate the largest class. (For each 3' x 5’ table and 4–6 chairs: 143 sq. ft.) Additional space for teaching station that will accommodate use of audiovisual and multimedia computer-related equipment

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Near reference area and book stacks

FURNITURE/EQUIPMENT

 * Tables and chairs
 * White board
 * Various audiovisual and networked multimedia computer-related equipment
 * Data/video projection capabilities
 * One 200-volt UPS with surge suppression for every teacher computer
 * One networked printer
 * Workstations that meet Standards for Accessible Computer Workstations
 * Two TV/monitors
 * Digital interactive whiteboard
 * Individual student response system
 * Screen

ACTIVITIES
Reading, studying, finding information in various formats, accessing electronic and print indexes, accessing back issues of periodicals, printing information, word processing, listening, viewing, photocopying

SIZE
Varies with student population, grade levels, and size of collection

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Accessible from administrative and circulation areas; ideally located near main entrance

=**Technology Ideas****=

From IMPACT
 * Smartboard in every classroom
 * Data projector in every classroom
 * Wireless access to cover the entire facility
 * Separate air conditioner for server room
 * At least 2 flexible labs in addition to the needed labs for CTE courses
 * Mobile Lab of laptop computers per team, especially in four-teacher team situations.
 * Flex labs on grade level halls which will be three instead of two in centralized area
 * A/C unit for labs with separate control with key lock - Labs get way too hot
 * Mounted wireless airports in strategic locations
 * Individual thermostat controls for A/C and heating should be in every workspace--inner and outer rooms get cool/warm differently

FLEXIBLY ACCESSED COMPUTER LABS
The flexibly accessed computer lab provides opportunities for large group, small group or individual instruction and activities as well as independent use. A flexibly accessed computer lab must be large enough to include student stations, a teacher station, work areas, and storage space. Forty square feet should be allowed per workstation, resulting in 1200 square-foot minimum to accommodate a typical thirty-student class.

ACTIVITIES
Word processing, data management, desktop publishing, computer-assisted instruction, presentations and multimedia, online research, online courses.

SIZE
Suggested minimum for K-12: 40 sq. ft. per workstation. For example, 1200 sq. ft. is the recommended minimum for a class of 30 students, plus additional space for instruction and storage. Size varies depending on student population and needs.

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Accessible to classrooms and media center. If managed by school library media coordinator, direct physical and visual access from the media center is necessary.

FURNITURE/EQUIPMENT

 * Sufficient networked multimedia computers (to accommodate the largest class)
 * 3 to 1 ratio of students to computers
 * Ergonomically sound and age-appropriate furniture
 * Workstations that meet Standards for Accessible Computer Workstations
 * Tables or counters
 * Chairs
 * Storage units for software and supplies
 * Bookshelves
 * Telephone with internal and external access
 * Clock
 * One surge protector per computer or built-in surge protection for circuits
 * Teacher workstation with 200-volt UPS with surge suppression
 * Printer
 * Flatbed scanner
 * Overhead projector or document camera
 * Screen
 * Data/video projection capability
 * White boards and/or digital interactive whiteboard
 * Individual student response system
 * Television or large-screen monitor
 * Adequate electrical outlets