Planning & Design Meetings Meeting #1 1/18/2012 - MinutesPalo Alto HS Library Pre-planning Meeting
Palo Alto Unified School District 7 April 2010
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PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
PLANNING MEETING
DATE: 18 January 2012, 2:30pm-4:00pm
SUBJECT: Pre-planning Library Meeting
ATTENDEES: Rachel Kellerman, PHS Tom Hodges, OCMI
Patrick O’Hara, PHS Aimee Lopez, OCMI
Phil Winston, PHS Erwin Lee, DLM
Ann Dunkin, PAUSD
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss initial thoughts about the renovation of the
library relative to the BOE approved Master Plan and how it might impact other
buildings and occupants on the campus.
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. Rachel Kellerman (RK) opened the discussion by sharing her thoughts about the
new San Mateo Public Library on Third Street and what she liked.
• Openness and quality light
• Spaces varying in size—large reading rooms to small study rooms
• Colors and finishes that were comfortable and calming
(Refer to attachments)
2. Erwin Lee (EL) provided a floor plan diagrams with the areas of the various existing
functions. He indicated that the footprint of the existing library is very large—
approximately 25,000 SF—which is equal to about 25 standard classrooms. EL
further added that as the building is more efficiently programmed and planned, there
will appear to be even more space. RK walked the group through the plan
explaining what the existing spaces were and how they are currently being used.
Some of the spaces include:
• Academic Resource Center (ARC)—collaborative spaces, study rooms, testing
center, quiet study area
• Computer Lab
• Meeting Rooms—ERC and SSRC
• English, Social Studies and World Language offices
• Student Activities Center
• Library Office and Workroom
• Reproduction Center / Copy Shop—RK would like this function relocated out of
the library
3. Tom Hodges (TH) shared with the group the initial thoughts of the Master Plan and
how the library was envisioned to be a resource centered facility. Departmental
Palo Alto HS Library Pre-planning Meeting
Palo Alto Unified School District 7 April 2010
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offices would be relocated and replaced with student service functions such as
guidance and career counseling. Phil Winston (PW) offered that he would like to
see some administration functions relocated to this building because of its central
location on the campus. The administration functions could be split with the gate
keeping and attendance functions remaining in the Tower Building. The group
generally liked the idea of having a ‘hub’ building as long as the library functions are
not compromised. PW and staff will generate a list of the current functions in the
Tower Building that he would like to see relocated to the library.
4. TH asked EL what the possibility of adding a second floor or a mezzanine would be.
EL indicated that with the new seismic requirements, it would be very difficult and
costly to add a second floor using the existing structure. A mezzanine would be
easier because it could be self-supporting, having its own structure separated from
the existing building. Other comments regarding a second level:
• EL explained that a mezzanine has a specific code definition such that it cannot
exceed 1/3 of the area of the space that it is within and it can’t be enclosed.
Other comments regarding the Library:
5. RK would like to see two computer labs and a tech support area as part of the
renovated library.
6. Ann (A) would like to see the District’s data center moved, possibly to the renovated
library.
7. RK would also like to see a Student Project Center as part of the program where
students could access materials, equipment and assemble large projects.
8. RK offered that the acoustics are really poor in the existing facility and looks forward
to a new facility with much improved acoustics. PW indicated that a portion of the
library could be set up as a multi-media space for large groups.
9. RK shared that her vision would be to have the ‘noisy’ activities toward the front of
the library, near the main entrance, and transition to quieter areas as one moves
towards the back.
10. RK indicated that the library is in need of student work areas and a central staff
workroom/lounge.
11. RK suggest that a good location to move the Student Activities would be to the
northwest corner of the building since many of the outdoor student activities occur
near this corner.
12. EL suggested that the group think of other locations within the existing building to
locate the library program. The library does not need to be in the center of the
building without windows as it is currently positioned. RK emphasized how
important that it is to have the library directly on the quad.
Palo Alto HS Library Pre-planning Meeting
Palo Alto Unified School District 7 April 2010
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13. TH indicated that some of the parallel activities that need to be thought about
include setting up and interim library, possibly in the 700 Building, and the phasing
and timing of this work.
14. The next meeting: TBD
END
Prepared by Erwin Lee of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the above items are
inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees
File