I feel it is important to assess regularly how our learning resource centre (LRC) meets the needs of the students and teachers in my school.  I liked the idea of gathering information (perhaps through a form or survey) that focuses on how students and teachers would rate their ability to access resources and what barriers or challenges they may face.  Without really getting inside your users heads it is hard to try to make any kind of effective changes if you are not really sure what the barriers may be – the barriers may be ones you may never think of yourself!  Keeping that in mind, there are certainly things which are obvious that as a TL you can do to encourage and increase the ability to access resources.  Attention to the organization of your materials (automated system directs you to the appropriate section) and sections are created in the library for the patrons to have easy access to the resources.  In our library we have a magazine section and a mobile shelving unit for new fiction that is housed by a informal seating area, we have a combination of table and chair arrangements (allowing for individual, small and large group work), as well a reference section, career center, NL section, smart board area, circulation area, professional development section for teachers, as well as a backroom for AV equipment, we also have an area with a screen and projector for student ppt presentations, invited speakers, showing movies and general internet usage for class purposes.  Our signage and I bulletin boards (changed at least once a semester) are reviewed and updated yearly.

Flexibility, flow, functionality (resources are able to be located and relevant) and flair is what I try to bring to the library – I try to make it inviting using many art projects from the past (masks and drawings) to be displayed on the walls and on the tops of shelves as well as plants.  Creating various sections and choices involving furniture placement and arrangement creates a more efficient flow while decisions about the placement of various sections and types of shelving and furniture used impacts the ability for flexibility when it comes for usages of the library.  Quiet study, guest speakers, webcast events, movie screenings, crisis response caring center, parent & teacher meetings as well as professional development sessions all have taken place here.  I love the fact that we can move from a student presentation, to a recess event, back to teachers using Youtube videos in their lessons, and then have a dinnertime “career cafe” presentation dinnertime, resource-based lesson, and preparation for 35+ staff meeting all happening the one day in the LRC -  it has happened! Our LRC is certainly at the hub of our school – and as such it is always evolving and I try to make the physical changes needed to keep up with the ever changing demands.   Flexibility, flow, functionality and flair!! My mantra!

                                                                                                                                                 

Physical changes are always happening in the LRC to meet the ever changing needs and possibilities that are proposed by my administration, teachers and students.  We are currently getting ready to move to a brand new school (September 2014) and I will certainly use the recommendations from “Achieving Information Literacy”’ as outlined in Lesson 13 and my own experience as a TL as a solid guide and focus when it comes to planning for our new space.  This course has been very timely for me personally.

For now, my biggest challenge and “reno” will be of the technology nature... website and creating mini-digital libraries for various subject areas and previous vertical file topics.  The expenditures for this will mainly be of a time nature, however, the beauty of this  - is that it can travel with us to our new school!