[CASL-L] quiet library

[Fitzgerald, Joy]

Hi,

      We have a combination of areas.

      Our Library has a large space divided by a set of short bookshelves and 4 individual study Carrells, this creates a sound buffer of sorts.  We have a combination of areas.   The Far End has a set of 8 tables of 4, this area is either for a class or most of the time, it is a designated Quiet, 1 to a table area.  The front half to 2/3rds of the Library is a set of 16 tables, 7 rectangular for 4 seats and 8 round tables set up with either 2 or 3 chairs, alongside of a 28 seat rectangular computer area along one wall.   The front half to 2/3 of the library is the area where they can work in groups and talk at a reasonable level.  Yelling or very loud talking gets them a warning.  Repeat (third time) yelling or rowdiness and they are asked to go elsewhere (Back to class or to study hall/cafe area/ or senior lounge if they are a senior).

So, some periods, we hear a lot of talking in front of our Circulation Desk area and SIGN IN AREA (where we use a GOOGLE SPREADSHEET on two Chromebooks with a DROP DOWN menu for them to select their names and indicate purpose).   This gives us statistics and an attendance sheet for each block of the day, listing type of use (using Computers, working in small group, studying silently, etc.).

The expectation is that in the computer areas they are working on a computer, are allowed to talk at a low level and are not in a computer game or just socializing during the school day.  Any videos must be academic or school related (for example: Edgenuity) and any sound on computers they need to use earbuds or headphones.  Social network sites had been blocked but are no longer blocked and admin is taking a wait and monitor approach, on students who go online to socialize.   Expectation in the front area is that they have something to do and are not just socializing.  Most cooperate to some degree and have something out on the table, but many do a lot of socializing in front half.   It is more or a learning commons area, especially since we have all Freshman and Sophmores now have been issued chromebooks.   So they often sit at the front tables in groups of 2, 3 & 4 with chromebooks out and a lot of talking going on.

    I had hoped to have a learning/maker space to fit in with the learning commons, but my principal had not allowed it.   So, I have been working toward a cooperation with a TECH ED teacher in the next room over who is setting up her Robotics/maker tech area in that room.   That is a noisy place when she has her robotics kids in there.

     Joy



Joy Fitzgerald
Librarian Media Specialist, 21st Century Skills Teacher
Rockville High School Library  /  70 Loveland Hill Road  /  Vernon, CT 06066

"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one."       --Neil Gaiman

860-870-6050  (Library Desk) / Open: 7:15 a.m. To 2:30 p.m. / Hours are during school year
________________________________
From: CASL-L [casl-l-bounces at mylist.net] on behalf of KRISTINE P. EMOND [emond.kp at easthartford.org]
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 1:31 PM
To: CASL-l at mylist.net
Subject: [CASL-L] quiet library

Just inquiring - does anyone have a quiet library where students come and work with only whispering or not talking?  Like a college library atmosphere.

Appreciate any responses for feedback.

Thanks!


Kristine Emond
Library/Media Specialist
East Hartford High School
East Hartford, CT 06118
860-622-5258
emond.kp at easthartford.org<mailto:emond.kp at easthartford.org>

"You can be too rich and too thin, but you can never be too well read or too curious about the world." - Tim Gunn