A survey of the application of American Library Association school library standards in the facilities of secondary schools constructed in Dallas County, Texas after 1990

This study investigated how secondary public school libraries in Dallas County, Texas, constructed since 1990, meet or fail to meet national library media center facility guidelines established by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology in 1988. Nineteen secondary schools were identified as meeting the criteria and visited by the researcher to gather data. Visual observations were made as well as data gathered with a checklist based on Appendix C of Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs 1988.

The literature review followed the historical development of secondary school library standards from 1920 to 1988. Each of the nineteen schools constructed in Dallas County, Texas was evaluated as to whether it met or failed to meet the latest facility standards published in 1988. The findings indicated the secondary schools met the standards in adequate space for the entrance/circulation area, computer workstations, stacks, reading room seating, workroom, and equipment storage. The standards were not met because of the lack of small group listening and viewing areas, maintenance repair area, media production laboratory, darkroom, audio studio, or large television studio in the schools visited.

The researcher concluded with discussion and implications of the findings. The findings indicate the schools do not follow standards when designing library facilities. More thought should be given to the size of the facility and student population in order for the form of the facility to follow the function of the program to enhance student learning.