It is always so fun to visit our member libraries – and the Sartell Middle School was definitely a great time!
The library and tech center are currently in different locations, but still work as a team and are looking forward to being back together in their next building. In the meantime, things are looking pretty good!
Just look at those smiley books – I love to see cheery art in libraries! It really does help to attract people to a library when the environment is welcoming. Usability in design is a key factor in driving use of the materials we have to share with our communities; so making it fun is always going to be the right choice!
The library was filled with patrons, who we always avoid photographing (privacy is important!), but this quick shot across the room shows not only the cute art that is all over the library – but also the nice display and the sturdy furniture! Creating a space is just the first step in an effective library; building a collection that is connected to patron needs and wants – and in a school that means connecting it to the curriculum – is another important aspect. You can see how nicely everything is set up here, to encourage use of the collection! (Books that just sit and look cute are a waste – making it cute to encourage circulation is the way to go!!)
We trudged down the hall to the tech area, and things were lovely here too!
I know this table and chair set is supposed to be good for kids, to help them fidget around so they can pay attention; and the whiteboard tabletop encourages creativity. I get that it’s supposed to be one of those “kid”perks – but I really want this for my office!!! I can fidget and be productive with markers too – I’m just sure!! (Feel free to bring these cool accessories over to our office for the holidays!)
This is a big room, with plenty of space to try out some cool things!
The big shelves filled with projects and activities were definitely exciting looking – I wanted to go try out some things, so I’m sure kids would be excited too! (Note: They really were! The place was definitely hopping before school, with kids trying out all kinds of great things!)
Look at this cool Jenga set! The very excellent wooden blocks were stacked really high – so it was satisfyingly dramatic when a misplaced block was removed and the entire thing crashed to the floor! (Yes it was also very cool to watch it be built – but everyone loves a good crash!)
3d printers are increasingly popular in all libraries, because you can do so many neat things with them! Of course it’s fun to make cute plastic items; but the plans for these printers is much grander. Kids need to know all kinds of technology skills, and these printers will be used to teach kids how to manipulate objects digitally then to create them in the physical world – great!
When I visit libraries, of course I’m a guest – so it wouldn’t be polite to just grab things away from the patrons. But: Reader, I was tempted here! These are round robots, each being driven by a separate person as they race around this track! The students could use apps to direct their robots to zoom all around the course, banging into each other and having a great time. Later, the tools they use will be adjusted so the students will have to do their own coding to make the robots go – an excellent idea!! Coding skills are important in being an information literate member of society, and it’s great to see that happening in such a fun environment!
This photo of the little drones is slightly blurry, as I was excitedly talking with a student about these and the other tech devices. Listening to the kids themselves explaining what they were doing, and what kinds of cool things they could develop, was fantastic!
Have we been to your library yet?? You know we want to visit, so we are inviting ourselves over! Just give me a day and time, and we will be happy to come gush with library-joy over your stuff!!