For my school library visit, I decided to use the library at the school I work at. Prior to starting my degree, I have not given much thought to our library other than I enjoy checking out books, and my students enjoy visiting the library as well. This gave me a chance to look more closely at our school library.
The Space and Physical Access
The school library is meant to be a unique and essential part of the learning community (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 122). The John B. Dey Elementary School library is located in the middle of the elementary school. The hallways are in the shape of a big square, and the library’s location allows it to be in the center where it is an essential part of the school. It can be accessed through a courtyard, or by walking through the hallways of the school. If you enter the library through the courtyard, there are some outdoor tables with umbrellas, and benches that students could sit on to read. While there are different entrances to the library, I do not feel that they are all easily accessible, especially for a student in a wheelchair. The doors inside the school are usually left open, but the outside entrances do not have a button to open the door.
John B. Dey is located near the beach, and has a unique feel compared to other elementary schools. One example is seen while walking into the school’s library. There is a bright mural with fish designed by the local artist, OnieTonie.
“Reading is the core of personal and academic competency” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 123). The school library immediately reflects the importance of reading as it displays books available to students as soon as you enter. When you walk further into the library, there are different types of leisure and comfortable seating and tables. The library has recently been remodeled, and there is a wall of windows separating the book area from the rest of the library. In the back of the library, there are tables for makerspace, leisure reading, and a ViewSonic board and rug where the librarian completes her lessons with classes.
The size of the furniture is appropriate for children of all ages. In addition, the shelves are not very high and can easily be accessed by children of various ages or students who may be in wheelchairs.
Services and Intellectual Access
At first glance, there are not any special services or programs observable. The library does display educational words, such as create and innovate. The library catalog is available by talking to the librarian or librarian assistant. In addition, it can be accessed by students through an online program called Destiny. The library is organized by picture books (fiction and nonfiction), chapter books, and graphic novels. There are stickers on the top of the spine of books that relate to different types of themes, such as holidays, seasons, and habits of mind.
People (Patrons and Staff)
The school library serves faculty and students. The library is welcoming and is a place that students want to go. The librarian and librarian assistant are both middle aged white women, and are always friendly and helpful. Despite there only being two staff members, you will observe diversity present in the library because there are always different classes, and students or staff visiting. When you enter the library, you would observe the librarian and librarian assistant helping students or staff, putting books back on the shelf, pulling books out, or teaching a lesson. One special aspect of our library is in the back of the library there is a mural of a tree made out of handprints. Every student in the school contributed their handprint with every grade level representing a different color. This helps students feel a strong connection and feel a part of the library community.
Collections
There is a diverse collection available at the school library for students in grades K-5. While the library does have a large selection of picture books and early chapter books for the younger grades. It also has a large selection of chapter books and graphic novels for the older grades. There are different books displayed on top of the bookcases and throughout the shelves in the library. This can help those younger students choose a book easier by picking a book that interests them based on the cover. There are not any public computers in the library, but every student does have access to a personal Chromebook. Overall, there isn’t much technology available compared to visiting my local public library. There is only an Osmo and Ozobot available in the makerspace area in the library. Students can also utilize a 3D printer with the help of the librarian.
Digital Access
Here is the link for John B. Dey library: https://sites.google.com/vbschools.com/johnbdeylibrary/home.
The website is easy to navigate, and includes a picture of the librarian and librarian assistant. It directs questions to phone or email by including the school number to reach the library, and email addresses for both staff members. The website gives general information about checking out books, lost or damaged books, volunteering, and the book fair. It is evident there are audiobooks available to check out as there is information about this. It is also clear that there is a new emphasis on not only physical materials, but access to digital materials on the internet (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 124). Students can use the Mackin app or Destiny Discover to access eBooks. On another tab, there are step by step videos that provide information on how to use some of the online resources available to students. There are additional resources provided as well as information related to the summer reading program. The website also highlights an additional program for 5th grade students called Battle of the Books.
Additional Thoughts
The website has some good information, but I do think it leads parents to wonder more about the library at John B. Dey. It would be nice to include information about other services available in the library (ex. makerspace). In addition, I find myself wondering if we have any additional services or resources available for our non-English students or students with disabilities. Parents and students may also appreciate seeing more pictures of the library, and pictures of students using the library.
I know there is probably much more for me to explore and learn about our school library. I look forward to looking deeper into our library once we return to school in the fall. Through this lens, I am also looking to make mental notes of areas that I want to improve when I become a school librarian.
References
HBA. (2015-2022). John B. Dey Elementary School modernization. [photographs]. https://www.hbaonline.com/project/john-b-dey-elementary-school-modernization/
John B. Dey Library. (n.d.). John B. Dey library. https://sites.google.com/vbschools.com/johnbdeylibrary/home
Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
I loved the hand mural of all students, and how unique it is to have each grade be a different color. I am seeing a trend of Destiny used. My current high school library uses Destiny as well, so maybe I need to dive into this a little deeper since it is used often.
2 of the things that caught my attention were the makerspace, and the 3D printer. I would love to have these available at the high school library where I teach.
Holy Cow!- What a beautiful space. You and your students are so lucky to have such a bright library full of kid friendly furniture and art. I have not been inside of a new elementary school- so I had no idea that so much space is given to libraries in new schools. At a time when budgets are being cut, it is reassuring to see that library space is still valued!
I love the fish! So cool that they were created by a local artist. And that handprint mural! It is awesome. It is a beautiful library. I love the colors and the feel of the space. It sounds like your Makerspace has some really cool tools.
This library is so bright and beautiful! Like the others, I am taken by the design and the hand mural. It’s so odd for me to think of a school library with no computers, but I guess that makes sense if each student has their own Chromebook. Hopefully that means the library saves some money! I hope you enjoy interacting with the space more when the school year starts.
Wow! What a beautiful and open space for the students to enjoy the library. Our school is due for a renovation in the next two years and I hope that we can get something as beautiful and inviting. I, too, love the mural of the tree with every students’ handprint. What a unique way to include everyone in the library community and a special memory for students to come back and see as they get older.