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As libraries evolve, spaces that were once cutting-edge can become outdated, and change is necessary.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!