Letter to the Architect
Dear Architect,
​
I am writing to request design preferences for Dover Elementary School’s library that will be beneficial to the students and help them learn and succeed. I will include things that work well in the current library, things that could be better for the new one, some needs in the community that the library fulfills, and activities that the school library does that help the students and the community.
​
One thing that currently works well in the library are the accessibility of the books. They are displayed in easy reach of the children, especially the early readers for the youngest students. The display shelves are designed to securely hold books while also showing the covers. The thing about young children’s library browsing habits is that they don’t often read spine labels. It’s the cover that catches them. Popular topics include wild animals and the Fancy Nancy series. If those books are on display where the children can see the pictures on the cover, they will be checked out and read. If the kids can’t see them, they won’t pick them up. Science fair boards are on display for part of the year on top of the shorter shelves, and student art is on display for the rest of the year.
​
Another thing that works well is the bright colors in the library. Children like to spend time in environments that are enriching—and drab, boring, claustrophobic colors are the opposite of that. There are inviting murals on the walls, and I would like there to be the same in the new library. Expansive and imaginative, but not overwhelming. Another note is that the paint used on the walls is easy to clean and the floor is tiled. This is much appreciated after accidents and spills.
​
Something that would be a great benefit to the children and the teachers is a designated reading area away from the checkout counter. That way, the librarian or teacher can read while books are being checked out and the beeping of the scanner won’t disturb them.
​
More open areas between the bookshelves would be good for both the general open feeling of the library and also ADA mobility requirements. Exceeding those requirements would be best.
Please ensure that the ventilation system is in stellar shape. The current library is stuffy, which is uninviting.
​
One thing that would be great for both the students and the community is an area or two (or three) with easy-to-clean couches and tables where students and tutors can sit down together and have lessons. For many of the students here, English is not their first language, and while these kids do an excellent job of working hard to learn quickly, they would do even better if tutors had a designated spot to work with them. The library is the perfect place. We could even have shelves with tutoring materials nearby so they are on hand when needed and the tutors don’t have to lug them around the school.
​
Students are expected to know how to use computers so they can enter college and the workforce. This school was built before computers existed, and the library has not changed enough to effectively include them. Computer tables, maybe with computers that fold or otherwise store inside the desks would be beneficial for both computer use and extra space for taking standardized tests.
​
There should also be a designated area “backstage” for technology repair and storage. The library was built before the librarian position grew to include technology troubleshooting in addition to normal library duties. There is not enough time, space, or people to get everything done that needs to get done, but the easiest thing to fix with this new building is the space issue, although somewhere in the front office, there can be an area for recruiting volunteers to work in the school. Even if the volunteers don’t want to work directly with the children, there are laptops that need fixing and books to be shelved.
​
Currently, the library is too crowded with shelves, and the area behind the front desk does not provide adequate space. I envision a much more open-space library with more seating, space between the shelves, space behind the desk, storage space, more computers, display shelves, and areas for reading and tutoring.
​
In conclusion, these design requests for Dover Elementary School’s library will be beneficial to the students and the community as a whole. From the aspects that currently work well to the things that can be improved, this is a great opportunity to better serve the students and the community.
​
Thank you,
​
Lindsey Tanner
​