Move work tables into a central area of the resource center away from the stacks of books. Leave a few chairs near the book collection for individual reading time.
Set up three to five computer workstations outside the actual computer lab area. These computers can be used for Accelerated Reader quizzes, Read Naturally programs or other school-wide reading reinforcement programs on the computer.
Locate two computers for card catalog searches as end caps on two of the bookcases.
Organize an adjacent room as a computer lab. This lab should have enough computers for the largest class in your school. This room will be used by classrooms to complete writing projects, use Type-Learn Programs and multimedia presentations for projects. Schedule each class into the computer lab in 50-minute time slots so that each class has computer instruction each week. Extra time should be available for special classroom projects assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Leave some space near the book collection for story-time for younger students. There should be enough room for students to sit comfortably on the floor during a class visit to the library to check out books each week.
Place a few longer tables around the perimeter of the learning center for tutoring, test-taking and times when individual instruction is needed. Students can work in pairs at these tables or parent volunteers can use them for listening to a child read or for other independent work.
Include two printer stations in your computer lab for printing materials from classroom projects.