Finding the right balance for technology in K12 libraries

This article is part of our month-long series “The Modern K-12 Library,” exploring how shifts in school curriculum have impacted library design. Click here to see all the entries in this series.

As schools shift towards project-based learning, both educators and students require access to a broader range of tools, equipment, and resources. Some of the new features that have been embraced by school libraries include makerspaces and recording studios, which allow students to engage in project-based learning. Because of their important role as technology hubs, school libraries are transforming to accommodate an expansion in digital resources. Designers of library spaces need to be able to “future-proof” libraries by planning for the next generations of technological evolution and creating spaces that have the capacity to adapt to rapid changes.

Many schools consider stashing books away in high-density shelving or other hard to access storage to make more room for digital resources. Our experience in the field interacting with students and educators suggests that this idea is misguided. When we interview today’s students about their priorities for a library design, young people emphasize how important a “traditional” library experience is to them. Young people spend all day surrounded by screens. Engaging in physical media is a grounding experience for them. We suggest gathering input from the everyday users of your school’s library – students, educators, and library media specialists – to find the right balance between digital and physical media for your school.

For a deeper dive into how to design a library to support project-based learning, download our FREE resource, The Modern K-12 Library.