COVID Library Update Part 1: Adapting the Space & Collection

COVID library update part 1: Adapting the Space & Collection - Finding ways to make the library space work and get work done on our library collection.

  To say it’s been an interesting school year so far would be an understatement.  This has definitely been the most challenging year of my career.  I consider myself lucky to be working at a school that has the resources and leadership to keep us safe.  I know that many, many schools have been left … Read more

How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis

How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis: Sometimes it can be hard to step back and take a look at the big picture. By creating a library space analysis, you can start dreaming big about the potential your space has. Plus, you'll create some great visuals that you can share with your admin.

How to Dream Big With a Library Space Analysis It may seem like an odd time to be reimagining your library space.  You might currently have limited access or might not be allowed on campus.  If you are having in-person learning, your library might not look like it normally does.  To help manage social distancing, … Read more

How to Create Conversation Zones to Support Learning Styles

How to Create Conversation Zones to Support Learning Styles : Our libraries support a variety of learning styles and activity. By creating conversation zones, we can better support the learning needs of ALL our students.

At Stewart, we had a pretty loud library.  There were robots racing through the stacks, the rustle of tubs of LEGOs being dug into, and the chatter of excited students talking about their favorite books and collaborating on projects.  At my current school, the previous culture of the library had been one where a whisper … Read more

Too Much Information: 3 Frustrating Problems With Signage

Good signage is vital in a learning space.  Ideally, your students should be able to walk into your space, look around, and find the things that they need without having to ask for help.  Realistically, I know that this isn’t usually what happens, but it’s the goal to aim for. In general, I would say … Read more

Read this Book: The Design of Childhood

Read this Book: The Design of Childhood - If the history of how design intersects with the lives of children fascinates you, this book is for you.

Read This Book: The Design of Childhood I first heard about The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids in a NPR interview with the author.  It immediately piqued my interest.  Design, education and learning spaces are some of my favorite subjects. Bringing them all together in one book sounds amazing.  And … Read more

How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library

How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library // Here are five different things you can do to create collaborative spaces to support your students in your library.

Our libraries are no longer solely the silent, individual study zones that they used to be.  More and more schools are recognizing the value of collaboration, and the library can be the perfect place to support it.  But traditional library environments (think heavy wooden individual tables, tall, imposing stacks, etc) don’t really provide a collaborative … Read more

3 Ways Visiting Vendor Showrooms Can Inspire Your Space

Most of us probably have something in our library space that we want to change.  Or many things that we want to change. It can be daunting trying to figure out where to start and what you want your space to become.  That’s why I always recommend gathering inspiration for your space. Visiting other spaces, … Read more

Why Our Learning Spaces Matter

Why Our Learning Spaces Matter : We need to stop worry about money, convenience and tradition. The spaces in which our students learn matter, and we need to make them better.

Educational environments have been stuck for far too long.  For decades, we have settled for beige concrete boxes. Little natural sunlight and fresh air.  Desks arranged in rows because it makes for the most efficient cleaning, rather than asking what makes for the most productive learning environment.  Our libraries are boxes with walls lined with … Read more

Be Intentional: Why Slow Change is Good for You

Be Intentional: Why Slow Change is Good for You | When changing something (your library space, your classroom, your life) quick, sudden change can be jarring. Being slow, deliberate and intentional can have power and make changes longer lasting.

I was a media specialist at my previous school for seven years.  A TON of things changed there during that time.  But they didn’t happen overnight.  I built things up piece by piece.  I experimented and tried new things.  There were plenty of failures, to be sure.  But there were also great successes that my … Read more

Read this Book: The Space: A Guide for Educators

Read this Book: The Space: A Guide for Educators | The Space is an amazing resource on learning space design. It helps educators to learn to think as designers, to co-design their spaces with their students and to create learning spaces that are inclusive of ALL their students.

When educators and designers get together to write a book on learning spaces, amazing things happen.  Many books on learning space design focus on lots of gorgeous photos of expensively renovated school environments, language to use with architects or projects that are amazing, but not always easy to replicate.  The Space takes a different approach. … Read more