It took a week longer than we expected, but on Monday we had our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting!

Once the floor was in, there were lots of finishing touches needed. Over the weekend one wall was painted, and the whole place was cleaned. Our Library Assistant and Guidance Secretary put up balloons and streamers (in our color theme, no less!)

Our Library Assistant and Guidance Secretary

Decorated, but not yet revealed!

The Executive Assistant to the Superintendent helped me with a press release that she distributed after the ribbon cutting.

Our Library Assistant runs our Makerspace before school every day, and she worked tirelessly to organize our new space. Here’s before and after:

Before…

After!

So much wall space now!

Our Grand Opening was wonderful, attended by administration, teachers, and scores of students.

Librarian and Principal cutting the ribbon

Party in the Reading Zone!

Party in the Fiction Books Zone!

Party in the Instruction Zone!

and all of that without refreshments! Middle school students love to socialize, and they enjoyed exploring their new space. Lots more students have been in since, and all express amazement at what the library looks like now. We’ve already had several teacher requests to use the library, which enables us to make some innovative changes with the library program.

Thank you so much to our entire team–this was a truly collaborative venture!