McDougle Middle School Media Center
Facility Redesign

By Jessica Kem, INLS 241
October 2004

McDougle Middle School media center currently shares the same facility with McDougle Elementary School and the Carrboro Branch Library. While the elementary and middle school media centers are located on either side of the large room, with some, but little overlap, the public library's collection is distributed throughout the facility. On the whole, more of its holdings are on the middle school side, including the adult fiction collection, videos, audio, and dvd. All three libraries share the non-fiction section, with NF items ranging from young audiences to adult in the same location.

Recently, the Orange County Library Task Force recommended to the Orange County Commissioners that the Carrboro Branch Library move to a separate facility, a place of its own in a more central location in town, where it can open before 3:30 pm. This move is not likely to happen for a couple years, but it is highly likely within the next ten years, because of a high level of support from the county library system, county commissioners, and the Carrboro community at large.

My proposed remodeling of the McDougle facility reflects the future move of the public library and the opportunities it presents to the middle school media center (the elementary school's needs are not considered here, because my internship has only prepared me to reflect on the M.S. side.) It assumes a growing emphasis and financial investment in technology, including a computer projector and screen and a flatbed scanner.

First, what does the facility look like right now?

With the removal of the public library, the adult fiction, video, adult audiobooks, and a portion of the nonfiction section, would leave. Many books in the YA, JF, and E sections are also owned by the public library, so these sections would also be reduced, though not severely. This change will drastically reduce the necessary shelf space, leaving more room for formal instruction, small group workspace, library or student displays, and comfortable reading/discussion space.

And my recommended redesign:

Classroom area, back right corner.

Reduced shelving need allows the installation of a pull-down screen on the back wall of the media center, to be used for classroom instruction. Currently, any computer demonstrations are shown on a roll-out television which is difficult to see from the back tables. A ceiling-mounted projector is not an option (due to a very high, sloped ceiling), but a roll-out projector could be used.

Computers and tables have been realigned to allow for easier viewing of the screen. Most importantly, computers have been rearranged to allow students to sit at the computers during instruction, to allow for more active, hands-on computer instruction. Currently, computers are housed in study carrels, but with this arrangement, flat desks would be preferable for easier lines of vision.

I have recommended the addition of a flat-bed scanner, connected to one computer on the end, to allow students more options for multi-media production. I have attempted to place it in the line of vision of hte circulation desk, but out of the way of foot traffic.

Reading area, near entrance.

The entrance area to the media center showcases some inviting spaces for student recreation and study. The current facility cannot easily accomodate a reading group or book club, because of both limited furniture and limited hours (again, the public library's hours prevent organized after-school activities in the library).

In the area currently holding some non-fiction, adult new books, and videos, I have recommended a comfortable sitting area, with bench or sofa-style seating to accomodate multiple readers. This area could provide a quiet reading place at lunch, small group work space during classes, or a book club setting after school. The table in the middle should be low (like a coffee table), to allow students to sit on the floor around it if so desired. This area, in addition to the added small table at the center back of the facility (pictured above) will greatly expand the possible space for small group work both in and out of classes, reflecting the growing educational trend towards group and partner projects.

Another area opened up by the removal of the public library is the wallspace. While the public library sponsors many interesting local artists' work, the returning of the walls to the students and the school will allow for a more student-centered space. The walls above these bench seats would be ideal locations for student art work or posters from class assignments. They could also provide room for a bulletin board for advertising school events, or a display area for the library (for book clubs, new books, etc.)

Carrboro Branch Library's move from McDougle to a new downtown location will present both challenges and opportunities for the middle school media center. With the major reduction in the book collection will come the opening up of new spaces for added educational technology and small group-oriented activities. The needed remodeling will require some financial commitment from the school: the cost of the screen, projector and scanner, plus the new computer furniture, small tables, and bench seating. Some rewiring (or at least the addition of new power and ethernet outlets) will be necessary with the moving of the computers. In fact, depending on how far into the future the public library's move is, the school may want to consider moving over to laptops with wireless Internet connections if feasible.