We are transforming our library into a learning commons–finally! This change has been a long time coming, and seems to be gaining some traction. We have always had enthusiastic readers, and we work with a dedicated, professional, and brilliant staff, but the use of the library has diminished over the past few years. Part of the problem has been the current climate of high-stakes standardized testing, and part was the backsliding of the library program during the five years that we went without an assistant. It’s been frustrating, because there is so much more that we could be doing to help students and staff!

This year we have a new administrative team. I loved working for our previous principal, and she did a lot to help promote the library. I wanted to cry when I heard she was leaving. This new team, though is dynamite! I love the new energy and that they’re bringing, and they’re enthusiastic about the library!

Our plan is to renovate the front part of our physical space, to open up the library program for innovation, and to update our web and social media presence. This three-fold approach takes advantage of several aspects of our library, for a more global transformation. Our goal is to support the information and story needs of the learners and teachers in our school community.

In the physical space, we’re going to keep the current shelving configuration. The Numbered Books shelves (mostly nonfiction, shown in beige) surround the perimeter of the current Large Group Instruction Zone (purple) at the back of the library. Although the Fiction Books shelves (orange) take up the central part of the library, we have enough space at the front for several new zones without having to move those shelves.

Counters that were installed along the windows around the library will be removed to make way for more flexible and user-friendly furnishings. The Small-Group Collaboration Zone (yellow) will house tables and chairs that can be configured in various ways to meet small group needs, with computer monitors and power strips available. A cozy, comfortable seating area for reading (blue), with an electric fireplace and cozy chairs, borders the Fiction Books section at the front. The current Circulation Desk (red) will be moved to the other side of the doorway, giving us a larger area with some walls for our Makerspace Zone.

We are fortunate enough to have two outdoor Reading Terraces adjoining the library. These will become Garden Zones (green), along with a small area in the center of our indoor window space. We plan to install a rainwater catchment system on each Reading Terrace, along with container gardens. We also need a way to provide shade, possibly with retractable awnings. These innovations will probably have to wait until next year, as funding is very tight.

So far we have gotten permission to fund some of the Soft Seating Zone and the Makerspace Zone items. We’ll need to get grants for some of the other key elements of the plan. The Director of Maintenance for our district will be coming in soon to make more specific plans for the physical space, and then we can really get moving on that part.