PROBLEM 66 HOME ROOM LOCKERS FOR A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Problem: The Board of Education of Mason City, N. K., has secured the approval of the voters for the erection of a new high school. It is planned to make provisions for an enrollment of 1,200 which will be divided about equally between the two sections. The architect has been chosen, and the preliminary work on building planning is being done. As superintendent of schools, you have been requested to determine the kind of high school locker which should be provided for the hats, coats, books and other equipment of the student. Realizing the importance of securing the most desirable solution for this problem, the superintendent of schools has made an analysis of the locker provisions to be found in high school buildings and some of the problems which need solution. The summary of these provisions and problems is as follows: A. The kinds of locker provisions provided in high schools. 1. Corridor lockers. (a) Recessed in wall. (b) Suspended from wall. (c) Non-flush type on legs. 2. Locker alcoves. (a) Distributed over building. (b) Concentrated on basement floor. (c) Concentrated on first floor. (d) Concentrated on second floor. (e) Concentrated on third floor. 3. Locker rooms. (a) Distributed over building. (c) Concentrated on first floor. (e) Concentrated on third floor. B. Types of lockers and sizes in inches 1. Single tier large enough for one student. 6. Sizes: (a) Width of front, 10" 12" 12" 12" 12" 12" 12" 14" 14" 14" 15" 16" 18". (b) Depth (front to back), 10" 12" 12" 12" 16" 16" 18" 14" 15" 16" 15" 18" 12". (c) Height of compartment, 72′′ 72′′ 40′′ 60′′ 36′′ 18′′ 60′′ 48′′ 78′′ 30′′ 36′′ 72" 36". C. Types of locking devices. 1. Cabinet lock (mortised into locker front). (a) With key carried by child. (b) With key placed in key-case available at stated times. (c) Bar lock (groups of lockers locked by a single bar and controlled by teacher). (d) Janitor has master key. 2. Padlocks (keyed). (a) Furnished by student, keys in his control. (b) Furnished by student, extra key deposited with school. (c) Furnished by school without charge. (d) Furnished by school, refundable deposit required. (e) Furnished by school, rental charge. (f) Lost keys replaced free. (g) Lost keys charged for. 3. Padlocks (combination style). (a) Furnished by student (controlled by him). (b) Furnished by student (combination given to school authorities). (c) Furnished by school and retained by same. 4. Padlocks chained to locker. 5. Padlocks not chained to locker. 6. Padlocks shifted to different lockers each year. 7. Regulations as to quality of lock furnished by student. D. Other accessories needed. 1. Shelves, one or two. 2. Hooks on sides, one or two. 3. Hooks on door, one or two. 4. Full louvre front. 5. Standard louvre front (one set at top, other at bottom). 6. Louvre at bottom, vent at top. E. Breakages and factors involving frequent repair. 1. Locks (keyed cabinet). 2. Locks (combination cabinet). 3. Padlocks (keyed). 4. Padlocks (combination). 5. Hinges. 6. Lever system in door (for locking). 7. Door front. 8. Top. 9. Sides. 10. Back. 11. Shelves. 12. Frame. 13. Hooks. 14. Door handles. 15. Number plate. F. Other administrative problems. 1. Slant top to show dust and dirt. 2. Regulations for preventing unnecessary noise. 3. Problem of maintaining lockers in a sanitary condition. Assignment 1. Advance the arguments in favor of alcove lockers as contrasted with lockers in the corridor. 2. Contrast locker rooms and locker alcoves. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each. 3. Does the type of ventilating system installed in any way influence the kind of provision made for lockers? Illustrate. 4. The theft of articles from lockers, which students report as having locked, causes administrative difficulty. What is the locking device which throws the responsibility upon the students rather than upon the administration? 5. Discuss the nature of the louvre which best overcomes the difficulties of stealing. 6. Should a master key for all lockers be available? If so, who shall have charge? What rules should be formulated concerning its use? 7. Is it possible to provide any device by which the teacher may control a group of lockers? What provision is then made for students who are tardy at a session or for those who are given permission to leave early? 8. Outline the difficulties encountered by the administration in the use of the locks? In what way is the combination lock superior to the key lock? 9. What objections are presented against the placement of lockers at the rear of home rooms where they are under teacher control? 10. In a few instances, high schools have been built recently where the locker has been eliminated entirely and return has been made to the cloakroom attached to home rooms. Is this a desirable trend? What are the difficulties. 11. If padlocks are considered desirable, what is the preferred plan for determining the quality of the padlock and controlling the difficulties involved in the loss of keys? 12. Under "E" above, factors requiring repair are mentioned. Make a list of factors 5 to 15 and indicate for each those characteristics which necessitate special consideration in the purchase of lockers. 13. What are the minimum dimensions for a locker? Can these minimum dimensions be reduced by arranging a locker for two individuals? Indicate the arrangements making due provision for hat, cloak, books, luncheon, umbrella, and rubber shoes. BIBLIOGRAPHY DONOVAN, J. J. ET AL. School Architecture-Principles and Practices. Macmillan, 1921. Standard Schoolhouse Equipment. American Architect, 115:625-30, April 30; 657-63, May 7, 1919. Standardized School Lockers. American School Board Journal, 71:62, August, 1925. Sweet's Architectural Catalogue. Sweet's Catalogue Service, Inc., New York City. TRAPP, D. V. The Locker in the Modern School. American School Board Journal, 72:74, May, 1926. |