The first of five chapters in this master's thesis examines the current status of media facilities and historical factors that have contributed to their development. An analysis of the design of media facilities following the principle of "form follows function" begins in the second chapter, which expounds a theoretical model of the media facility as a function of: (1) the service offered by the facility; (2) the ratio between media mediated and instructor mediated learning; and (3) the number of users, staff, and students. Physical implications of this model are discussed in the third chapter, which focuses on questions that need to be asked before any decisions are made regarding the size of the media center, the personnel needed and their qualifications, the selection of equipment appropriate for the services to be offered, and media selection. The fourth chapter addresses the implications of the model for the administration of the media center, including the issues of centralization, budgets, and standards. The concluding chapter discusses current standards; makes some projections about the objectives, personnel, and facilities of media centers in the future; and suggests topics for future research. An 84-item bibliography is provided, and American Library Association specifications for space and equipment are appended. (MES)