Power Play: upgrading library tables for mobile devices
We're deep into the process of remaking our high school library into a facility that's more of a learning commons, a Maker Space that also functions as an exemplary school library for research and reading.
As we've made these transitions over the last two years, we've considered a multitude of variations on the idea that we need more power outlets for devices and a lot fewer bulky computer consoles. Part of the plan is to buy high-end tables and comfortable chairs with power outlets already embedded. But those are expensive, and most of the renovations we're doing within the confines of our existing budget -- which goes toward buying books, databases, and the normal library operations. In other words, we're working a major re-invention of our library space with no extra funds. We're in the running for some additional money, but we're trying to stretch as much as we can using our own funds. So rather than pay $800 for a table with a power strip built in, we were looking for a cheaper solution. We landed on a simple solution using our existing library tables. We just needed a big drill bit (the kind for drilling a door handle hole), and a $40 desktop USB/Outlet charging station from Home Depot.
As we've made these transitions over the last two years, we've considered a multitude of variations on the idea that we need more power outlets for devices and a lot fewer bulky computer consoles. Part of the plan is to buy high-end tables and comfortable chairs with power outlets already embedded. But those are expensive, and most of the renovations we're doing within the confines of our existing budget -- which goes toward buying books, databases, and the normal library operations. In other words, we're working a major re-invention of our library space with no extra funds. We're in the running for some additional money, but we're trying to stretch as much as we can using our own funds. So rather than pay $800 for a table with a power strip built in, we were looking for a cheaper solution. We landed on a simple solution using our existing library tables. We just needed a big drill bit (the kind for drilling a door handle hole), and a $40 desktop USB/Outlet charging station from Home Depot.
This is the device from Home Depot. It's designed to fit snugly on the top of the desk, with the extension cord dropping through the circular cutout in the middle. The next picture is the underside of the table. Two extensions clamp the upper portion of the outlet, keeping the device tight against the table. The cable is about six feet long, so we had to position the table and outlet close enough to a working outlet to make the chargers work.
We didn't advertise the new devices, but students figured out their intended purpose right away.
During our re-arranging, we had to block one of the few wall outlets in this part of the library with a short fiction shelf. The solution was to add one of these handy USB / power outlets to the top of the shelf. It's in the corner by the flag.
Elsewhere, we were able to use existing floor outlets to bring the power to the tabletops in a part of the library that previously had no student or staff power access, since the floor traps were locked down.
We've just learned that next school year the district will give each of our students a Chromebook computer, which will create an increased demand for charging locations. As we evolve our library to meet changing demands, we anticipate adapting most of our existing library tables into work tables that allow students access to electricity for their devices.
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