Best of Both Worlds

  Like most little kids, I changed "what I wanted to be when I grew up" by the week. However, by the 6th grade I knew I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I had always loved school and had some of the most amazing and dedicated teachers of my own. Secretly, there was always a small part of me that wanted to be a fashion designer or home decorator, but I knew there was measurement involved and math just wasn't my thing. So last semester in SLIB 670: Administration of School Libraries, one of our assignments was to design the library space of our dreams, no limit on budget. The only stipulation was using the existing space of our current library. 

  

  This assignment was one of my favorites of the program. Sadly, I'm not a teacher or a librarian, but I have volunteered and substituted in the same elementary school library for the last four years, so I am somewhat of a fixture. I am very familiar with the school philosophy, the administration, the students, the collection and everything within the four walls of the library. So many times I have said to myself or the librarian, "wouldn't it be nice if . . . " Well, the library design assignment let me put all my dreams down on a piece of paper. May sound like an easy assignment, but when you consider all we have learned in the Librarianship program and the ever-changing library, it wasn't so easy. I had to create a library that suited the needs of the 21st Century Learner, yet still instilled a love of reading.

 We were assigned articles to read and websites to browse. They were helpful in reminding me of the current trends and technology, but remembering who the library was for was by far the most important aspect. I want a library that is warm and inviting, a place where students feel welcomed and at peace and a place they want to return to again and again. I really liked an article by Traci Lesneski that kept the child/student in mind when creating a library space.  Lesneski said that many times we discount a child's ability to see and appreciate the aesthetics. I WANT an aesthetically pleasing library. The current library is located in the center of the school and it is from the original school built in 1938. Which has it's charm, but honestly the room is old, the collection is old, and everything needs an update. I have no doubt if the fire marshall came in to inspect, the computer center area would be condemned. There are cords and plugs everywhere. 

  I'd love to see the library modernized. I can spend hours on the internet or Pinterest looking at pictures of libraries and daydreaming of "one day." Well, that "one day" is going to happen this summer at WHES. While I was the long-term substitute librarian, the county's head architect and head librarian paid me a visit. They had heard of some issues that occurred in the library because of work done on the heating/air conditioning units over the summer. The architect looked around and said "I have money and as long as we don't have to do any structural changes, we can renovate this library." They started asking for ideas and I quickly let them know it wasn't MY library, but if it was - here are the immediate changes I would make (long discussions had already taken place with the librarian). The assignment I did for SLIB 670 is actually coming to fruition, which is beyond exciting and wonderful for the students. 

 We have talked about 21st Century Learners, technology, maker spaces, collections, and so much more. I would love to hear from seasoned teachers and first year librarians, what areas could you and your students not live without in the library? I know the students are the main stakeholders, but I'd love to hear what you have done in your spaces to make it great.  Sounds like funding is not going to be hindered too much other, and this includes some collection updates as well. 

  I have to run. Time to start creating the new learning commons and Library Store has some great items!