What do we need to do to create the best school library? How do we build a library that actively inspires and engages students, teachers, and the community?
Last year (2013-2014), the MVRHS School Council called for a committee of “staff, students, parents, and community members” to “make recommendations for a newly designed 21st century library” by “visiting other high school and town libraries”, and “investigating the latest research recommendations for libraries”. The goal was to “make recommendations to the School Committee at the end of the school year”. (Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Improvement Plan: 2013-2014 Update)
- Based on a variety of surveys, interviews, site-visits, committee meetings, and research (which are described in detail here), the Committee recommended the following changes:
- Additional small group spaces need to be created.
- A new classroom space should be added.
- The library should be designed in a way to easily adjust for multiple, concurrent uses in the main library room.
- A separate, secure space for the school archives could be used as a learning laboratory. There’s a need for a better, separate space for project-creation materials and tools.
- A cafe space would be welcomed.
- Furniture that supports reading and stimulates learning should be provided.
- More vibrant color, student exhibition space, whiteboards for sharing of ideas, and digital signage should be added. [UPDATE: the library was
- The library should circulate laptops and mobile devices to students throughout the day.
- A reading lounge should be opened to support reading for pleasure.
- Better access to electricity and charging stations should be addressed.
- The library should function as a center of innovation, and open an Innovation Lab.
- A community outreach office is needed and should be opened in or near the library.
- The library desk would be better located in the center of the library.
- The library should utilize the courtyard as an outdoor learning environment, add plants, and increase access to natural light.
- We propose to change the name from the “Gregory Scotten Library” to the “Gregory Scotten Library Learning Commons.”
- Finally, we recommended continuing this process by re-inserting the library to next year’s school improvement plan.
> Full committee report
Based on our recommendation, the 2014-2015 school improvement plan includes that we:
- Investigate options for financial support for recommendations in the Library Improvement Plan as developed through the SIP from 2013. (September & October 2014),
- Submit applications for grants (Ongoing), and
- Submit recommendations for general budget for capital improvements to the School Committee in 2015-2016 (October 2014)
Follow MVRHS Library’s board High School Library Designs on Pinterest.
The recent visit by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) has resulted in a number of recommendations for improvement, including in the library. The last time the library underwent any significant updates was nearly 20 years ago. In the meantime, school libraries have adapted around the state and country in response to evolving pedagogical, technological and social changes in schools. Most recently, the Common Core State Standards have made the role of the school library ever more important to our success as a school.
Committee Members
Roxanne Ackerman (School Committee)
Savanna Aiello (Sophomore)
Cynthia Bermudes (Parent)
Anna Cotton (Science Teacher)
Matthew D’Andrea (MVYPS Assistant Superintendent)
Alison Daigle (Sophomore)
Woody Filley (Information Technology Director)
Eli Hanschke (Senior)
Tony Horwitz (Parent)
Kevin McGrath (Library Teacher)
Bill McCarthy (English Teacher)
Sondra Murphy (Oak Bluffs Library Director)
John Stevens (Edgartown School Principal)
Ena Thulin (History Teacher)
Lynn VanAuken (Oak Bluffs School Librarian)
Tom Wallace (School Council & Parent)
Areas of Focus
Interested in helping? Please contact Kevin McGrath. (Thank you!)
I. People
What is a ‘student-centered’ library? How does the library prepare students for the challenges of college and career? What inspires and engages students and teachers? What do students need now and in the future? How do adults support this? How do we support teachers? How do we best support parents and other members of the community?
II. Space
How can we maximize use of the space? How should the space be designed to allow for multiple concurrent uses? What space elements are necessary to continuously engage and inspire students?
III. Media
How can new forms of publishing and sharing classroom content improve the way students learn? How do we best curate collections? What is the role of print and ebooks and what are the best practices for access? What do we need to provide in order to maximize access?
IV. Programming
How does the library best function as an inspiring community space and online resource? How can guest speakers, community connections, and other forms of programming support, inspire, and strengthen the school community?
Committee Documents
All meetings will be at the MVRHS Library Conference Room unless otherwise noted.
Dec 5th, 2013 Minutes
January 28th, 2014 Minutes
January 8th Student Survey Responses
Faculty Responses to Questions, January 8th
February 19th Student Survey Responses
Documents
Learning Spaces for the Future Presentation by Kevin McGrath at MassCUE / MSLA (September 2014)
Guide to the Newton North Library Learning Commons
Originally written by Kevin McGrath for the then-new NNHS Library Learning Commons in 2010.
Framework for 21st Century Learning (Partnership for 21st Century Schools)
21st Century Learning Environments (Partnership for 21st Century Schools)
The Seven Learning Spaces (NoTosh Learning)
Next Chapter Ideas (David Loertscher / Crowdsourced)
This is an open-ended spreadsheet with ideas submitted by anyone interested, generated by David Loertscher, who has written extensively on library learning commons.
What does (or should) School Librarian do?
Inspiration
Most Likely to Succeed Trailer from One Potato Productions on Vimeo.