Christa Salsiccioli proposes changes to improve the organization and access of learning resources at the Fruitvale Elementary School library. The current physical space is cramped and uncomfortable, and the furniture is unsuitable. Salsiccioli recommends rearranging furniture to create more space, adding comfortable seating, and replacing tables and chairs with sizes appropriate for students. She also proposes creating a library homepage to provide digital access and resources to support students' research and technology skills. The presentation outlines goals, rationale for changes, plans, timelines, budgets, challenges and how the changes would benefit the school community.

1. Learning Resources in
Fruitvale Elementary School (FES) Library:
Improving Organization and Access
By Christa Salsiccioli

2. Outline
1. Introduction
2. Goals of FES library
3. Areas needing change
4. Rationales and proposed changes
• physical space
• furniture
• homepage
1. Timeline
2. The “who” of change
3. Budget and cost
4. Challenges
5. Conclusion

3. Introduction
This presentation will demonstrate:
the need for improved physical and digital
access
strategies, timeline, costs and potential
challenges in implementing change
the support and success the changes will
bring to the school community

4. Goals to Support Library Patrons
Goal #1
◦ Provide current and authentic research and
information literacy experiences
Goal #2
◦ Support management, selection and
evaluation of effective resources

5. Goals continued
Goal #3
◦ Advocate and promote user independence
Goal #4
◦ Provide a comfortable and workable physical space
Goal #5
◦ Provide use of current technology

6. Areas Needing Change
• Physical Space
• student lounge area
• Furniture
• tables and chairs
• Homepage

7. Rationale for Change:
Physical Space
position of tables make working area cramped
visually uninviting
uncomfortable seating
◦ minimal lounge seating
◦ lounge seating currently placed only in front of Smart
Board

8. Proposal for Change:
Physical Space
•reposition furniture to create more pathways and
use the whole available space
•provide comfortable, cozy, attractive and adequate
lounge furniture
•create a student centered library setting
•supports library’s goals #1, #3, #4

9. Floor Plan of Current Physical Space

10. Floor Plan of Proposed Physical Space

11. Rationale For Change:
Furniture
tables and chairs are too tall and too
wide
triangular tables
◦ awkward to work on
◦ prevents productive interaction amongst
students
unsuitable working conditions for
primary students

12. Proposal for Change:
Furniture
• Provide tables and chairs with a range of different
heights
o will be more comfortable and accommodate all sizes of all
grade levels
• Flower shaped tables provide students
personal working space
• Supports research, selection, management and
evaluation of resources (Goal #1 and #2)
• Provides a comfortable and workable space (Goal
#4)

13. Rationale for Change:
Homepage
students have minimal access to
computers
 no access for independent use at home
or out of library
does not support
technology skills,
Information Literacy skills
or access to digital resources

14. Proposal for Change:
Homepage Access
 Provide
student access to online library catalogue
(OPAC) (Goal #1 and #3)
 Provide independent use to support information
literacy and technology skills (Goal #2 and #3)
 Provide access to valuable
digital resources (Goal #2)
 Promote positive image and learning experiences
library has to offer
 Increase number of computers at Computer
Stations (Goal #5)

15. Timeline
Physical Space and Furniture
 Projectshould take approximately 2 to 4
months from start to finish
 Begin project in the month of May
 Draw up proposed budget plan and present to
Administration, School PAC, District PAC and School
Board for extra funding – 1 month
 Selecting, ordering and assembling furniture – 1 to 2
months
 Designing new configuration and set up – 3 weeks to
1 month

16. Timeline
Homepage
 Approximate timeline is 2 to 3 months and
will need continued updating when running
 AttendSchool District Professional Development
opportunities in technology skills and Web 2.0
tools workshop – 4 weeks, 1 hour sessions per
week
 Attend District Librarian Meetings to work
collaboratively with Teacher – Librarians in
creation of Homepage – ongoing
 Design
and starting up of Homepage –1 to 2
months

17. The “Who” of Change:
Teacher Librarian
Students and Staff (design and information)
Administration (support and budget)
PAC and School Board (budget)
District Teacher Librarians (collaborative
partners)
Leader/professional of Technology
School District Maintenance Crew
(assembly of furniture)

18. Budget
District budget is predetermined by the school
board and allocates percentage of district
funding to each library
FES library receives ~ $2000.00 /year from
District
School Budget requires alternate means for
funding such as Book Fairs and donations from
PAC
surplus of money is used the next school year

19. $ Cost of Items $
Items Purchased from Amazon.com
FES has an account in which Free Super Saver Shipping may apply to some
items.
Item Quantity Individual Price Total
Flower – Shaped 5 $240.99 $1204.95
Tables
Stackable Chairs 30 $241.99 (pack of 6) $1209.95
Beanbag Seats 6 $26.80 $160.80
Standard Chair 2 $65.80 $131.60
Children’s Sofa 2 $99.88 $199.76
Basic Birch End 2 $49.99 $99.98
Table
(OPTIONAL)
SUBTOTAL : $3,007.04
HST 12% : $360.84
SHIPPING AND $336.79
HANDLING 10% :
TOTAL : $3704.67

20. Cost continued
SHORTFALL
Type of Funding Funding Amount
District $1000.00
School (Book Fairs, $1000.00
PAC)
Surplus $400.00
Total: $2400.00
Proposed Total : - $3,704. 67
Shortfall : - $1,304.67

21. Challenges
BUDGET!! – items may cost more than
proposed and current estimated funding may
not be attainable
Problems with items – selection, cost,
shipping and handling and damage goods
 Unsupportive and uncooperative people
o Administration, School Board and PAC may not approve
of changes or of funding

22. Challenges
Following Timeline – things can take
longer or shorter than expected,
maintenance crew may be unavailable at
time of request
Software may not be adequate for
creation of Homepage
◦ update software

23. Challenges
• Communicating changes to school community
• Send library newsletter home with students
o discuss physical changes and new furniture
o provide photographs
o Homepage URL address
• Invite school community to open house to promote
access to the Library Homepage and the new student
lounge area
• At staff meetings discuss the changes implemented and
their impact on student success and learning experiences

24. Conclusion
Communicate the positive success of the changes
to the organization and access of resources!
• Physical Space is cramped, uninviting and uncomfortable!
o create more attractive looking space by repositioning
furniture and creating a lounge area
• Furniture is minimal and unsuitable in size for students
o changes are needed to the shape and height of the tables
and height of the chairs
o additional furniture needed to create lounge area

25. Conclusion continued
 Homepage is non-existent and thus discourages user
independence and does not promote valuable digital
resources available on line
 Currently, minimal access to computers makes it
difficult to support research and technology skills
◦ access to a Homepage will support user
independence, research and technology skills and will
promote the use of the library
If all changes are met, the FES library will
be successful in it’s goals!