As the United States considers reopening schools after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers and administrators need to consider how to reopen in a way that keeps students and staff safe. This brief provides insight into health and safety guidelines and social distancing strategies used in other countries that have successfully…

Discussion of the drawbacks of remote storage and microforms as solutions to library storage and retrieval problems covers the advantages and disadvantages of moveable compact shelving, i.e., electrically-powered shelving which eliminates all but one aisle in any set of ranges of shelving. This system is recommended as the answer to storage…

This discussion of the reutilization of existing library space reviews the decision process and considerations for implementation. Two case studies of small public libraries which reassigned space to better use are provided, including floor plans. (1 reference) (MES)

To align their financing strategies and fundraising efforts with their fiscal needs, charter school leaders need to know how much funding they need and what that funding will support. This cost estimation tool offers a simple set of worksheets to help start-up charter school operators identify and estimate the range of costs and timing of…

Aurora, Colorado's Horizon Middle School maintains good community relations partly by housing a branch of the city library, a city-sponsored community center, three classrooms for a preschool, a sixth-grade class, a boy scout troop, soccer teams, local homeowners' associations, and two church groups. (PGD)

This planning guide, reflecting recent changes in the educational system in Ireland, offers guidelines for designing primary schools that need to provide additional space for the growing range of teaching and support services. It addresses increased sizes of general purpose rooms, extra floor area provision for classroom storage, administration,…

This paper addresses classroom design trends and the key issues schools should consider for better classroom space flexibility and adaptability. Classroom space design issues when schools embrace technology are discussed, as are design considerations when rooms must accommodate different grade levels, the importance of lighting, furniture…

By applying a computer-aided drafting system to a range of facilities layouts and plans, a division of Tektronix, Inc., Oregon, is maintaining staffing levels with an added workload. The tool is also being used in other areas of the company for illustration, design, and administration. (MLF)

This book provides guidelines for the music director, architect, and others in designing and constructing new music facilities or remodeling existing ones. It deals with music facilities at all educational levels and is concerned with the location, design, and size of the facilities; storage and auxiliary space provided; auditoriums and music…

Four English sixth form or tertiary colleges were visited in 1980 to determine the accommodation requirements of 16-19 year olds who are continuing their education at either of these types of institutions. This paper describes each college, summarizes the range of courses offered and the way the colleges were organized, and the range of teaching…

This paper addresses how early childhood center design can improve the quality of these centers in terms of health, safety, and the appropriate development of the child. It briefly explores educational trends involving early childhood centers, then addresses the key spaces in these centers designers should focus on, including the classroom,…

A handbook, created for both designers and users of food service facilities in schools, provides reference information and guidance for making sure schools can provide quality food service. The handbook's first six chapters include explanations on how to start a school food service design project; required space, including kitchen work flow and…

One way to make the most of existing facilities and limited resources is an assessment of program usage in addition to facilities usage. Cites a comprehensive facility and programming inventory for the Boston Public Schools that produced very detailed, high quality data for facilities and programs. (MLF)

This report presents observations of experts in planning, design, construction or management of tertiary educational facilities about the emerging issues and the appropriate planning and architectural solutions for higher education facilities as the new millennium approaches. Specific topics discuss the current context of tertiary education…

Questions some fundamental assumptions of historical methods of space guidelines in college facility planning, and offers an alternative approach to space projections based on a new benchmarking method. The method, currently in use at several institutions, uses space per faculty member as the basis for prediction of need and space allocation. (MSE)