MIDDLE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Kou: The kou represents the concept of a safe haven, mirroring the cooling shade that traditionally offered a place for people to gather and rest. This library and learning space is designed to be a sanctuary for intellectual discovery, providing a peaceful environment where haumāna can seek refuge in study and community connection.
In future-forward Middle Schools, libraries are transforming into dynamic, student-centered learning environments that go beyond traditional quiet spaces and book storage. The Library Multipurpose Learning Center functions as a vibrant learning hub that supports academic, social, and emotional growth. With flexible layouts, movable furniture, and acoustic treatments, they contribute to collaboration, creativity, and group work, while providing a large multipurpose area easily reconfigured for guest speakers, student presentations, team gatherings, testing, and other school-wide uses.
In addition to the Library Multipurpose Learning Center, this facility provides other common support spaces for the school.
Utilized before and after school, during lunch and throughout the school day, the library serves as a safe, welcoming gathering place where students can socialize under supervision and develop a sense of belonging.
Note:
Diagrams are not drawn to scale and should not be read as floor plan layouts.
6.01 Library Multipurpose Learning Center
Used by students, staff, and for extended school community activities. The space should be inviting, inclusive, comfortable, and provide maximum flexibility for a number of activities
Activities may include reading, teaching and learning, research, collaboration, display of books and collections, gathering, socializing, and testing
The space should also accommodate large staff meetings, presentations, and various after-hours purposes including clubs and events
Circulation desk to be located near the main entry and Librarian Office and configured as a ‘genius bar’ for library assistance, and loaning and returning of resources
6.01A Student Collaboration Room
Used by students for small group work requiring supervision but acoustic separation
Access to be directly from the Library Multipurpose Learning Center. Also provide (secondary) entry to exterior circulation
Provide direct visual connection to the Library Multipurpose Learning Center
6.01B Office, Librarian
Office for Librarian to have visual connection to Library Multipurpose Learning Center and entry doors.
Serves as a quiet space to take a meeting, call, or do lesson planning when Librarian is not needed in the library
Provides additional storage for Library
See Typical Spaces, Office
6.02 Workroom
Used by the Librarian and other educators to prepare curriculum, with an emphasis on teachers collaborating with the Librarian
Access to be directly from the Library Multipurpose Learning Center. Also provide (secondary) entry without having to go through the Library Multipurpose Learning Center
Provide direct visual connection to the Library
Includes work counters, ample storage, and tables and chairs for collaborating
Coordinate design to accommodate a floor-mounted copier, 30” deep counter area for die-cut machine, full sized refrigerator and sink
6.02A Storage
Storage room should have large open shelving to store a wide variety of supplies
6.02B Educational Assistants (EAs) Lockers
Space for EAs to secure their belongings in lockers, conduct small meetings, conduct any desking work
Should be located off of Workroom for easy utilization and encourage connection to other staff
Should also be located close to exterior door for easy access
6.03 Professional Learning and Collaboration Room (PLC)
Used for small-group work and meetings
Should be located off of Workroom for easy utilization and encourage connection to other staff
Should also be located close to exterior door for easy access
6.04 Office, Curriculum Instructional Coach
Offices for Curriculum Coordinators to be in close proximity to Professional Learning and Collaboration Room (PLC)
See Typical Spaces, Office
6.05 Office / Workroom, Tech Coordinator
Office for Tech Coordinator to have visual connection to Library Multipurpose Learning Center and secondary connection to exterior circulation. It is used for storage, service, and maintenance of technology equipment. Students and staff visit the Tech Coordinator for technology needs and updates
If located on second floor consider close proximity to elevator
6.05A Storage, Tech Coordinator
Storage room should have large open shelving to store a wide variety of supplies
6.06 Mother’s Room
Private space for nursing mothers to express and store milk
Room requirements are comfortable chair, small refrigerator, small table, and sink with counter to wash equipment afterwards
When not in use by nursing mothers, this space can also function as an individual staff wellness space for re-centering, reflection, or even phone calls
Space should be comfortable, welcoming, and calming
An additional Mother’s Room may be located in the office or near another staff-intensive area of the campus
6.07 Toilet, Single (Staff)
See Typical Spaces, Toilet
6.08 Toilet, Single (Student)
See Typical Spaces, Toilet