Prescott Library Upper School Renovation Recap

This fall, the Upper School students returned to find that the library they had come to know and love and been transformed into a modern commons. Since my arrival to Wheeler in 2010, department chair, Christine Smith, has been looking ahead to how our spaces could be transformed in a manner that better matched the current and future way our students used the library for reading, inquiry and collaboration. When our Business Manager got on board and read up on the Information Commons model, Christine's visions really started to have teeth. Three summers ago, the Lower School Library was renovated. Then, in the summer of 2016, the school carved out space in the Hope Building for the Middle School Library Information Commons. With the Middle School now relocated, the Upper School gained real estate and conversations began in earnest about the US Library renovation.

Watching students enter the space at the beginning of this school year was wonderful. Clearly our students can see that the changes we made were for their benefit. I'm excited to use this space for instruction with classes, and am sure I'll continue to write about it as the year continues. To begin, though, here is a brief before/after video as well as 2 overall updates to the space.

1. Varied seating & work surfaces

We can't expect every student to approach a space in the same way. With this in mind, we designed our new library with various types of furniture.

Previous carrels were large wooden blocks that covered large portions of our windows.
We have 3 different styles of carrels, including ones with outlets.
Our upholstered chairs have varying degrees of stiffness.
Our new tables can now accommodate 2-10 people depending: allowing students to work together or alone depending on their need.

Here are just some of our numbers:

• Study carrels: 3 types and now on both floors
• Tables / Work counters: 7 types
• Seating at tables: 5 styles
• Comfortable seating: 3 types
• Ottomans: 3 types

With this an assortment of options, the color scheme helps connect all the areas so it doesn't feel disjointed. It is exciting to see how our students use the different spaces. Sometimes, one student will be at various spots in the same day, all depending on what the student is working on.

2. Condensed office space, and the circulation desk

Instead of a traditional circulation desk, we have a self checkout kiosk (created using the Follett Destiny app installed on an iPad) and a book return slot that feeds directly into the library office (where the old book drop box still sits waiting for returns). The box hides behind the office door and as it is all within a wall, none of these services impact the overall footprint.

We've added a small clear container to hold the stamp and pad.

The former library office took up the entire south wall of the 2nd floor. While the previous set up gave me a great view of the library from my desk, it also meant that three beautiful windows were only accessible to library staff.

Now, there is still a library office but it all takes up less room. So far, this is enough space to process books, meet with privately teachers, and store items. While I can't just look out at the library from my desk, I've now plant myself around the second floor throughout the day. This way I can work as a service point for students and teachers. We do have a teaching podium and a service desk near our copier/printer, so these two areas help me stay within view of patrons. But, like students, I am trying various areas of the new layout.

The best part is that with the office wall down, new real estate opened up for patrons. Comfortable seating has replaced the office. Now, our students can really enjoy the view from the south facing windows.