Kyrie Litteral
Snapshot
Library Makerspaces for Engagement and Exploration
When we think of past library experience, we often think of a large room filled wall-to-wall with books, a quiet environment and silent students. However, in today’s world, a library is modeled to be more than a place for books to rest. It is designed to be the community space to explore ideas and then bring those ideas to fruition. The library is the hub of the school and students are thirsting for knowledge. We just need to be able to capture their interest and engage them in learning. Every student in our middle school visits the library weekly, and following this, the ability to spark each child’s imagination and interests would have a lasting impact on their life. Furthermore, state standards have changed to encompass technology components all students need to be successful as adults. Questioning and problem-solving skills are heavily embedded into learning as well. We must change our way of viewing the library as just the place for books and the librarian as the keeper of the books. We can do better for our students and our community, Gone are the days in which simply acquiring new information is sufficient. It is imperative that we provide students with the tools necessary to apply the knowledge they have gained.