[ISLMA-Share] Library Renovation: Open Entryway?

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

My library is in the center of the school with the main hallway and
classroom going in a circle around it.  The building was built in the
1960's when that "open-classroom" style was popular.  Walls have since been
added to both the library and classrooms over the years because... oh,
yeah, right... open classrooms aren't really a good idea after all.  LOL!
 But I still have four entrances (N, S, E, W) that are wide open to the
main hall without doors or any way of closing off the library space at
all.

Yes, hallway noise is an issue during passing periods, especially during
the staggered lunch period schedule, but once students are tucked away in
their classrooms, all is fine.  My main concern is that I have no way of
locking anything up or keeping students safe if ever there were a lockdown
or intruder threat.  The north library entrance is open directly toward the
office and front school doors where a potential threat could originate.  If
we have to go into a lockdown, I need to get as many as 60 students out of
the library through the west entrance only, across a hallway, and into any
one of three nearby classrooms on the west side of the building.  The
safety of students is by far by biggest concern.

Make sure you have "student safety" conversations with your
administration.  Find out what their emergency plans are if they choose to
go through with that open design BEFORE they commit to it.


*Amanda Kuzminski*
*Library Media Specialist*
Orland Junior High School
Orland Park, IL
708-364-4214


*No trees were destroyed in the sending of this message, but a large number
of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.*
*    - Neil DeGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist*

On Wed, Mar 21, 2018 at 1:52 PM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> I have a main hallway that goes through the library. The library becomes
> very relaxed in between periods so the noise is not too disruptive.
>
> Katie
>
> On Wed, Mar 21, 2018 at 1:15 PM, Email list for the Illinois School
> Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> My school has an opportunity to do some library renovation. I've talked
>> to the superintendent about being involved as much as possible, but the
>> whole process is being very rushed. The architect and my superintendent are
>> both promoting wide, open entryway near our main hallway.
>>
>> I'm concerned about the noise from the hallways. Our bell schedule varies
>> a bit by grade, so the passing periods are sometimes during a class period.
>> We are also often used as an alternate location for tests, both everyday
>> tests and state testing.
>>
>> Do any of you have an open entryway? Any pros/cons?
>>
>> Thanks for any insight you can provide.
>>
>>
>>
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