We've started to build a Design Library to support our students and teachers in their inquiry. This is part of a greater literacy initiative at our school. Our goal is to encourage students to read in order to develop their understanding of a topic. Plus, books offer a different mode of accessing information than a computer screen.
There's lots of research highlighting the benefits of a classroom library, and a design classroom should be no exception. In our case, having the resources close at hand is essential for students supporting their inquiry.
We've organized our library according to our needs. The books are sorted according to themes that match the major steps of the design inquiry cycle (such as research, materials, and processes), as well as significant topics (sustainability, human factors, and user-centered design). It's our hope that the library comes to play a significant part in our students' inquiry.