Breaking Down Walls: One Library's Remodeling Efforts

by Julia Nations, Librarian at Cedar Park Middle School in Leander ISD


As libraries evolve, spaces that were once cutting-edge can become outdated, and change is necessary. Our 25-year old library space was beautiful, but tired, and often crowded. It is a sunny room, with a long wall of windows overlooking an enclosed courtyard surrounded by hallway windows on the other sides. Sadly, the only access to the courtyard was through two doors from the halls, separate from the library and classrooms.

Students longingly expressed wishes to sit in the courtyard to read or eat lunch on our many lovely Texas days, but lack of staff and practical access made this impossible. Teachers occasionally asked to hold classes there, requiring office personnel or myself to leave our posts to unlock and re-lock afterward. Due to awkward accessibility, the courtyard was also not well-tended.

The library arrangement is rather stationary by necessity. Because I am the only staff member in a very large room, visibility is paramount for supervision. The downside is a lack of zoning for volume control. Working or socializing groups disturb students needing quiet to take tests, study or read. I attempted compromise, but access to the courtyard would allow a space with more freedom to converse while preserving a serene library area.

In the middle of the windowed wall was a framed window seat. Doors there made more logistical sense, since with a larger student population than our building was intended to accommodate, courtyard access would expand library seating. Mornings before school and during lunch times, our library regularly houses 80-100 students.

I approached my principal about installing doors from the library to the courtyard. As a public school district, initiating a facilities improvement process (FIR) was required. I began researching door types and data points to justify the expense. A district official visited and estimated a cost of $20,000, of which we would need to offer at least half for the district to consider approving construction and appropriating funds.

I then solicited financial assistance from our PTA, which generously earmarked $10,000 for the project. Armed with funds, I confidently submitted an FIR. After an inspection of the library and courtyard, the project would necessitate additional work for structural compliance, and the cost would be closer to $150,000. This was a huge blow to all optimistically supporting the endeavor, but our PTA bravely contributed another $10,000 in a show of support.

We forged ahead. For several years, it was two steps forward, one step back, which is not uncommon with construction, and doubly so with the many departments and laws associated with a school district.

All our efforts began to make progress with a fortuitous eclipse -- a new superintendent and the approval of a bond which included updating our school. On a visit to our school, my principal guided him to the library, and he allowed me to passionately explain our vision; what this would mean to our students, the need to create zones for different student purposes, and how we could increase usable square footage with relatively little cost. He seemed intrigued, and later told my principal that he would see our reasonable request to fruition.

My principal persistently reminded central office and contributed another $15,000 of campus funds. We had to wait another 18 months, but finally, the day arrived for me to pack up the library. (Thankfully, the district contracted a moving company to address the bulk of it.) Included in the bond improvement was new HVAC, modern lighting, fresh paint, and new carpet, to replace originals installed 23 years earlier.

After so many false starts, my principal texted me over the summer to say the library wall had been opened to install the doors. No more delays. Courtyard doors were actually going to happen.

This fall, the students, staff and I are ecstatic with the changes. The overall effect is both stunning and pragmatic. I can visually supervise students through the windows, and quickly enter the courtyard when necessary.

My best advice to anyone considering a major renovation: patience. It took us six years. We got very discouraged at times, but perseverance was eventually rewarded. Best of all, kids preferring quiet can enjoy a serene library space, while it literally opened new doors for other students to utilize our outdoor library space almost every day. On to a courtyard beautification project!

Because We All Have Something To Share

By Wenndy Pray, Librarian, B. L. Gray Jr. High School, Sharyland ISD

I’ve just started in my library. I haven’t even done anything yet. I’m in my “beg, steal, & borrow” phase. What could I possibly contribute? And other similar thoughts occupied my mind when I thought of making an impact in my librarian community. What advice would a brand new librarian have to give?

Lucky for me, our district librarian has always been very helpful in providing opportunities to expand our horizons, and after writing "Reflections of a First-Year Librarian" for the Texas Library Journal, I realized that I could contribute my experiences to my community and help my fellow librarians establish a strong start in their career. Shortly after I wrote this article, I read Brave Before Perfect: A New Approach for Future Ready Librarians by Traci Chun. That, along with further encouragement from my peers, provided the impulse I needed to answer an invitation that Dr. Laura Sheneman, Coordinator of Library Services and Information Resources for Region One Education Service Center, had extended to experts in the field. It was an invitation to propose topics for her new Librarian Influencers podcast. So I was brave.

Filling out the proposal was a piece of cake. I’ve always inspired my students to write about what they know, so I would do just that. I wanted to share about my successful start in the library. I was to begin my fourth year and was confident that I could share my experiences and advice over a new platform: podcasts. Frankly, it was exciting. Whether I’d be approved or not, just filling out the proposal and stepping out of my comfort zone made me happy. 

The turnaround was quick. Dr. Sheneman sent an approved message with detailed instructions on how to arrange what we would discuss. This made me feel confident and secure. I need structure, so preparing notes before our recording helped me keep my discussion and answers on topic. When I get excited about something, I tend to talk about other related topics, so this was incredibly helpful. She presented it in a form of a Google Slide. I selected a quote that summarized my vision and thoughts about librarianship and provided a picture for the podcast promo.

  

And now for the play-by-play. I introduced myself, shared about my school and student body, talked about the wonderful faculty on my campus, and expanded on the relationship I have with my school’s administration. I shared on my professional learning network (PLN), important books that keep me grounded and focused, and about how attitude is everything. I even expanded on what I would tell myself at the start of my career. (Wouldn’t we all just love a time machine?) It was a wonderful experience to share and enrich my librarian community. And although I had prepared some notes to help me answer the questions, I felt relaxed with the organic experience. And the best part is that I was chosen to be the inaugural speaker to kick off the podcast! Being the first guest speaker was indeed a special treat. (Thank you, Dr. Sheneman!)

I know I have peers whose minds are riddled with the same thoughts of not knowing what to contribute - especially those of us who have fewer than five years in the field. But you do. We do! We all have something we can share to grow, broaden our perspective, provide encouragement, or just confirm the path we’ve taken. We all do great things and can be called experts in something we do well for our students and library program. I encourage my fellow librarians to reach out. 

You can tune in to The Librarian Influencers podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify. I am one of many librarians who have provided their insight on various issues in librarianship. “It’s a time to share your professional voice. It’s a time to offer other librarians a chance to build their PLN. Especially for those who are alone in their district or area. It’s a time to connect and be empowered,” shares Dr. Sheneman.

  

Listen to Wenndy"s Podcast!

I felt just that. Was it perfect? Not by any means. But being brave enough to step out into uncharted territory has sent ripples of support into my librarian community. This experience has also given me the confidence to share through the TASL Lunch & Learn platform with short webinars. Imagine what we could all do for our fellow librarians. I encourage you to step out, search within you, your style, activities, ideas, outreach - let’s be brave for each other. Because we all have something to share.

Enter the Letters About Literature Competition

by guest blogger Rebekah Manley, Coordinator at Texas Center for the Book 

Has a book made you laugh, brought you to tears, or changed your life? Write a letter to the author and enter the Letters About Literature Competition.

All 4th-12th grade students are invited to participate! Winners receive $100 and travel assistance to the Texas Library Association Annual Conference for a special awards ceremony.

You may read winning entries on the Letters About Literature Texas website.

There are three categories for contestants:  

Level 1 - Grades 4-6   

Level 2 - Grades 7-8

Level 3 - Grades 9-12

Follow these steps:

READ  Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a poem, or a play you have read that you feel strongly about. (Sorry, no song lyrics!) It might be a book that helped you through a difficult time, or it

might be a book that simply touched your heart or inspired you.

REFLECT  Think before you write. How did this author’s work change you or your view of the world? How and why are you different now than you were before you read this work?

PERSUADE  Write a personal letter to the author stating how reading his or her work changed you. Be personal and persuasive! Support your ideas with specific details, including details from the work itself. This is not a fan letter, but rather a reflection on how an author’s work influenced you.

WRITE  Type your entry in letter format. All submitted letters must be typed and between 400 and 800 words.

SUBMIT  Upload your letter to the new online submission platform (opening November 4, 2019). A permission form is required for all student participants who will be younger than 13 years of age on November 4, 2019. Make sure entries are submitted by December 17, 2019.

Teachers: Please encourage your students to enter. The website has a dedicated educator resource page. Many instructors tack this program onto an already planned curriculum, like memoir, letter, and essay writing.

How are the letters judged? The letters go through four rounds of judging. Judges ask: Is the letter written to the author and does it provide reflective details to support how the author’s work changed the reader’s view of the world or self? They also rate the content, expression, structure, and grammar of the letter.

Tips: Have someone proofread your letter. Make sure you read your letter out loud to someone and have them read it back to you. This way, you will hear how your letter sounds and catch any typos.

Important: Be sure to visit the Letters About Literature page* for the submission steps, permission form and official rules set by the Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This year’s contest runs from November 4, 2019, to December 17, 2019.

All contest information is available at *www.tsl.texas.gov/lettersaboutliterature