NEIT2011+OpenSpace4+I

//Apologies for the hastily written thoughts; hopefully this will help us reconstruct our conversation and at least hits the highlights.//

-end separate computer labs / creating integrated space

Peter Maas - about two years further in to design process recommends -do very formal programming requirement sessions -look at curriuculum; what your'e trying to do with this space? start here -both from technical POV vantage point; size of class; collaborative; some individual learning for seated areas -double back and show architects; here's what we're about to build. did we miss anything? did things disappear or change and we lost the original vision? -have them look at the 3D sketch ups (do perspectives from kids and adults' height) -keep architect honest; pull them back

Judy Murphy - concerns about large library that has become warehouse for books

What kind of furniture? -avoid sofas -beanbags? kids pull them together and work together in the corner (Erik Mandl) -moveable multipurpose furniture (put multiple pieces together)

How deal with spaces that accommodate both quiet and collaborative needs? How to determine what spaces are used for? -Sound dampening -Cone of silence -acoustic ceilings, acoustic seals on doors, sound dampening materials

This is the students' independent learning space / learning time (so whether that be quiet study, music, art, etc...) essential that any library or shared space have semi-private spaces; kids need spaces to be alone or to tuck away What kind of carel you choose? What kind of comfy nook can they find? -brooklyn heights montessori school (just redesigned library - in first phase) rebecca duvall built beautiful seats into shelves along one wall

What is a library? -a spiritual space; sum of human knowledge Will there be any books in libraries in 10 years?ow do we create that space without books? -beauty to engender reverence -beautiful space -as technology separates us, libraries will bring us back together as a cultural gathering space -where people will connect -connect kids; spectacular center point of your school -moving libraries to center of the school; combine with tech center / use of glass

(fights with architects as to what they thought was the right thing and what we thought was the right thing (bill walsh town school))

FLEXIBILITY in furniture design -all furniture electric; height adjustable -ms kids have chairs that rock a little bit -amazed at how little creative design occurring

What do we call a tech center? a media center? a creativity center?

Peter - asking teachers What do you need a library for? What do you want to do in it? What can it offer you that your classroom can't?

When envisioning... -we don't need a place where kids go to use the computer; desktops won't exist for sure -for individualized help -resources -"human capital" -accessing information (increasingly online) -library as a place where the kids get a little bit of independence to practice making decisions on their own; they learn how to make decisions (Cliff - FFCDS) whereas too often we're telling them what to do in another place -a sanctuary -serendipitous quality of just browsing and finding something

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE //STUDENTS// TO BE ABLE TO DO IN THE LIBRARY?
 * Importance of asking the question

This question precipitated some more out of the box thinking than the question to the teachers of what they need in a library? hub of school, hub of learning, self-actualization, what do I need next? -difficult question; does take time to step back and analyze -student focus groups; mitigated by who was asking? -what do we call a library? information commons, learning commons

danah boyd - public and private; be private in a public setting; very similar to a church experience; with a group of people but having a personal experience danger of technology separating everybody "together alone" (george lewis)

-even more relevant than ever -learning commons, but keep heart of what it is even if you take the books out -get rid of computer labs (assuming a 1:1 program) or could do carts to push labs into classrooms