What does the ideal LMC look like?

We need your ideas and support as we investigate ways to renovate.

Please add your ideas and comments below! 

Imagine the perfect high school library media center. What does it look like? Is there lots of natural light, quiet reading areas, rooms for students to meet, an art gallery to display student work? The perfect library would probably look a little bit different to each person based on his or her needs. But for everyone it’s likely a modern facility that facilitates student learning. Administrators and library media specialists at Lee’s Summit High School are asking community members to dream a little bit about what the ideal library media center might look like.

It is our hope at some point in the future to completely renovate the library media center, and in the spirit of continuous improvement we’re beginning the process of getting ideas for what our library can be. A modern facility would make more efficient use of space and offer students a more welcoming, learning-centered environment. It could also serve as a more attractive meeting space, have additional computer labs, and much more. Media specialists and administrators hope to make major renovations at some point in the future, and your ideas can help shape what might happen!

This wiki is created and maintained by Michael Russell, LSHS library media specialist.  PLEASE contribute your thoughts as to what we need in a new facility and why.  Most LSHS staff members are already listed as writers for this page.  If you are not on the list (whether you work at LSHS or not), you can add comments below by first sending me your email address.  My email is: michael.russell@leesummit.k12.mo.us   I will gladly add anyone who wishes to comment in this forum.  You may also stop by the LMC and sign the ideas poster!

Visit the newly redesigned LSHS LMC home page

     The process:

     *Identify the needs of a modern library media center at Lee's Summit High School by getting input from media specialists, teachers and staff, students, administration, parents, and community members.  We are also pulling ideas from a wide range of new and renovated libraries from around the country.  We are seeking input on everything--  the location of a new LMC, collaboration areas, computer labs, teacher work room, shelving possibilities, a coffee bar (it seems like virtually everyone wants a coffee bar like Border's or Barnes & Noble have) and on and on. Whatever your ideas are, write them in, even-- or especially-- if someone else already mentioned it. 

     *Based on the needs of students, teachers, and the community, we will create a number of possible alternatives using the current space as well as any other viable space on campus.  Initial drafts will hopefully be designed using computer aided design technology.

     *Drafts are presented to administration at LSHS and SLC.  Costs of the proposals are assessed, needs are weighed, and if approved, the measure would most likely be placed on a future ballot measure.

     *If (keep in mind we're a long, long way down a list of if's here) voters approve, work on the new Lee's Summit High School LMC would begin, at the earliest, the summer following the ballot issue. That sounds like a long way off, but to get on the next ballot in 2010, the initial drafts need to be completed very soon.

The case for a new LSHS LMC

The Lee's Summit High School library media center has been a patchwork project for decades.  Rooms have been added and removed, shared or reassigned, and the LMC has adapted and changed throughout. However, no master plan for a dedicated library space has been put forth in decades-- if ever.  Research strongly supports that student learning and achievement are greatly enhanced when students have access to a quality media center environment.

Research shows (yes, I'll cite sources soon for all of this!) that students learn better in a welcoming environment with plenty of natural light.  I personally believe, and am supported in this belief the comments of students, staff, and administration, that the library program is thriving and solid at LSHS.  The physical facility, though, lacks much of the appeal or design that would draw students to a media center.  Through no one's fault, the space is not well utilized.  Increased technology usage supports the need for at least considering an additional computer lab for classes to use.

In short, the students at Lee's Summit High School, as well as the teachers and community members who also use the space on a regular basis, would greatly benefit from having a new, modern library facility that is similar to what students and staff at our sister schools have.   

          *LSWest LMC (opened August, 2004):

 Courtyard collaboration area, looking out the wall of windows into West's outdoor courtyard

   *LS North LMC (opened August, 1995):

Partial view of North's non-fiction area and second-floor wall of windows, which look out over northwestern Lee's Summit.  Unity Village and the skyscrapers of downtown Kansas City can be seen from the  comfortable seating area.  The second photo (below) shows the broadcast editing suites on the left, non-fiction book stacks and windows with a view to the north on the right.

     *LSHS LMC (Built in 1953):

 Above: The west collaboration area and the door to computer Lab A.  Below: the east collaboration area, circulation and technology desks at LSHS.  If you look closely in the bottom picture, about a third of the way from the left, you'll see both of the LMC's small windows that look out into a teacher's parking lot.

 Temporary measures:

    *Three new podcasting studios were built in September, 2008.  These are temporary units that will be retained when the LMC is renovated.

    *In August 2008 the LMC staff painted two walls, and in September added two quotes to the wall near the circulation desk.  Several changes were made to the floor layouts (see proposed changes diagrams for specifics).

Map of LMC in April, 2007:  2007 lmc layout.pdf

Highlight area of proposed changes to 2007 layout:  2007 lmc layoutB.pdf

Podcasting proposal specifics, revision 3b submitted (and approved):    podcast studio v3b.pdf

One proposal of a great many for a completely renovated LMC:  2010 lmc layout.pdf

Podcasting suites installed September, 2008:

Student comment collection:

LSHS students who visit the library have left comments on posters near the front of the library.  Most (but not all) of the comments are transferred here (the comments are unsigned on the posters):

*Coffee Bar/Cafe   *Skylights & Natural Lighting *Aquarium wall    *coffee bar     *Places to read    *floor to cieling windows  *more windows  *high cieling   *updated posters  *Coffee   *cool shelves  *more windows

*New tables & chairs     *better seating    *balcony     *more art     *More open/better lighting/ more color

*Big reading area     *Huge smart  board     *A big section for anime & manga  *Starbucks Fo Sho

*All Sports zone     *Awesome books     *Starbucks   *Working computers   *Starbucks/coffee cafe

*Cafe area like Borders or Barnes & Noble    *Modern look    *new working computers & software

*bean bag chairs    *more open reading area

Other libraries in the world:

There are some incredible new libraries being built all over the country and all over the world that incorporate existing structures into a new facility.  Here are a couple links and/or photos of some:

from: New Library Designs from the world

David DiGregorio, the librarian in Tenafly, New Jersey, sent me these photos to show what they've done with the high school library.  Notice how the broadcast journalism set is in the middle of the LMC!