NEWS For Immediate Release February 26, 2013

Contact: Jennifer Habley

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) added to its series of Learning4Life publications with the release of “Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners: A Planning Guide for Creating New School Library Concepts.” Written by Margaret (Peg) Sullivan, the book focuses on planning contemporary school library spaces with user-based design strategies. The publication is available in both print and e-book formats, as well as in a print/e-book bundle, and can be purchased through the ALA online store.

“Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners” walks school librarians and administrators through the process of gathering information from students and other stakeholders involved in planning a resource rich learning space. Information includes how to create needs assessment documents that complement AASL’s “Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs.” Suggestions for adding meaningful aesthetic components and colorful renderings of sample environments are included.

This is an essential addition to every school librarian’s list of 'must have' resources, said Susan Ballard, AASL president. Taking AASL’s learning guidelines into account, as well as bringing her own uniquely qualified perspective as a sought-after expert in facility design, Peg Sullivan has done an outstanding job on behalf of the association in addressing the critical elements that must be considered by school communities to plan and develop library spaces as flexible learning environments.

To celebrate the publication's launch, AASL invites school library professionals to contribute to an album of school library concepts and share with others the learning space solutions and resource rich environments  created in their libraries.  To participate, join the AASL Flickr group “Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners” at www.flickr.com/groups/aasl_libraryspaces. After joining, school librarians can share photos from their personal Flickr accounts by clicking “Add photos” and tagging photos with “aasl library spaces.”

Margaret (Peg) Sullivan is principal at LibraryResource Group LLC, where she consults with schools and architects on 21st century space planning for libraries. Peg has made a career out of her commitment to education. An advocate for education, she has been actively involved on both the business and professional side of the market. A speaker at national and international conferences, her recent topics included “Designing School Libraries for the 21st Century” and “Designing Spaces for Early Childhood Literacy.”

AASL offers a rich variety of publications on topics essential to school librarians everywhere. For a complete listing of publications available from AASL, visit the AASL books and products page.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.

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