
How to Reimagine Our Library Spaces in a Post-Pandemic World
Many of our school libraries still look like they did fifty years ago, yet they are no longer serve solely as quiet book repositories. Librarians are leading the way in technology use and modern pedagogy in our schools – now we need to update our spaces to match. We’ll discuss how to redesign and rethink the physical space of our libraries, including practical and budget-friendly changes that we can implement right away. As schools are moving back into in-person learning, we have an excellent opportunity to reimagine our library spaces. This session will look at how our spaces can help with social emotional learning, community-building, accessibility and inclusion. We’ll discuss creative and innovative solutions for our spaces, including interactive environments like makerspaces and spaces for students to de-stress. This session will look at ways that we can bring diversity, equity and inclusion into our library spaces, including focusing on book purchases with a diverse range of authors, characters and experiences. We’ll discuss Universal Design for Learning and accessibility and how these can apply to making our library spaces more student friendly. No matter where you’re at, you’ll get ideas and inspiration from this session.
(Note: Longer version was presented as a workshop at FETC 2022. Shorter version was presented as an ISTE webinar in June 2022)
(Slides from shorter version from webinar at bottom of page)
Resources
Reimagining Library Spaces: Transform Your Space on Any Budget
In my book, Reimagining Library Spaces, I breakdown a practical process for rethinking and redesigning a library space, no matter where your budget is at. Each chapter includes action steps and connections to the ISTE standards. The book also includes examples of four different reimagined library spaces.
Links
- My Learning Space Design Resources page – recommended articles, books and more
- My Library and Learning Space Design Pinterest board
Blog Posts
- The Stewart Library Makerspace: Video about how our makerspace has transformed our school
- 6 Ways to Rethink Your Library Space and Make it Amazing
- 3 Ways Whiteboards Can Make Your Space More Awesome
- How to Get Library Design Inspiration: 6 Places to Visit
- 6 Active Learning Spaces Your Library Should Have (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- How to Identify and Reframe Design Problems in Your Space (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- How to Transform Your Library Space on a Budget (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- 10 Tips for Writing Grant Proposals
- 5 Tips for Creating DonorsChoose Projects
- The Great Library Makeover Part 1
- The Great Library Makeover Part 2
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Space for Innovation (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- COVID Library Update Part 1: Adapting the Space and Collection
- How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis
- Genrefication: How to Organize Your Fiction Section by Genre
- Too Much Information: 3 Frustrating Problems with Signage
- How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library
- 3 Ways Visiting Vendor Showrooms can Inspire Your Space
More resources
- Colleen Graves’ post on Makerspace Storage
- Tiffany Whitehead’s blog, Mighty Little Librarian (look for links in the sidebar for resources on Ditching Dewey and genrefication)
- Video about the Stewart Storage Cart and our collaboration with CEF
- School Library Journal article I wrote about our furniture design challenge
Tutorials
- The Epic LEGO Wall: How to Build One – tutorial for building a LEGO wall
- LEGO Wall Round-up – Examples of a variety of LEGO walls created by other educators
- How to Create a Floorplan of Your Space in Excel
- How to Create an Awesome Whiteboard Wall – tutorial on how to use dry-erase paint to create a whiteboard wall
Recommended Books
- Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration
- The Third Teacher
- The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Schools
- Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners: A Planning Guide for Creating New School Library Concepts – great resource for creating surveys and focus groups
- The L!brary Book: Design Collaborations in the Public Schools
- Get Active: Reimagining Learning Spaces for Student Success
- The Space: A Guide for Educators
Vendors mentioned: