Future-Ready Libraries: Action Plan for Equitable Access and Collaborative Spaces

1. Action Plan Design Thinking By Sarah Donnelly

2. Librarian Interview Highlights Michelle Nelson, Librarian, District 148 The biggest obstacle we're face in the district is the lack of librarians. Over the last five years, we've lost 7 of the 9 full time librarians and the district never filled those positions Each school used to have its own librarian, but now we must manage 9 libraries amongst 3 people There's no time to work with teachers, create lessons for students, or really utilize the library the right way and that's showing in our test scores But, since I don't control payroll and can't afford to pay for 7 more salaries from my library budget, I'll start with more manageable tasks

3. Objective: Providing and enabling access to abundant resources for all students Goal #1- Providing Equitable Digital Access Working in a district that is economically depressed comes with the biggest concern about the lack of resources and help at home If a teacher has a student work on a research project, but there's no internet access at home or there's no one to help them with the work, is it fair? Future Ready Librarians: Robust Infrastructure • I’d like to update the entire infrastructure in the library • 5 brand new (not refurbished) all-in-one desktop computers • Purchase a computer specific table • Replace chairs with raised seating

4. Objective: Ensuring access to up-to-date, balanced and aligned digital and print resources Goal #2- Curating Digital Resources and Tools I’d like to get rid of the archaic reference section. We’ve got books that date back to the 1970’s and there have been so many updates, it makes them outdated A nice new set of encyclopedias are a staple in the library. The kids still need to learn how to “work” an encyclopedia, but what they’re seeing on the shelves isn’t enticing or practical Future Ready Librarians: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Taking out the reference section opens the library for those new desktops. Our library needs a wonderful, kid friendly database to search. We’d purchase a subscription for either EBSCO or WorldCat because they are the search engines they’ll find in high school and college

5. Objective: The creation of and implementation of a physical space and program which supports student exploration, learning and creation Goal #3- Designing Collaborative Spaces Seating is another one of our problems. We live in a world where people need to work together. They're not always going to sit in an inflexible group of 4 Our tables and chairs are nearly 20 years old! They're wobbly and I'm always worried about them collapsing on someone Future Ready Librarians: Use of Time and Space We need to replace our old furniture with lighter chairs and breakaway tables one that will allow children and teachers to move quickly around the room for more flexible seating I’d also like to see the addition of four or five soft chairs that we can use as positive reinforcements and rewards

6. Resources and Task Masters Generally, the librarian is the “Task Master” for any updates in the library Usually, we go through our Assistant Superintendent with our library budgetary issues, but she’s retiring, and we’ve got a new “go-to” person at district office I’d search Demco’s website for furniture that would fit the space and make sure it would last a decade, maybe longer Then, I’d do some research on EBSCO and WorldCat to see which database service would be a good fit with our kids and their future high school

7. Time Frame for Action Plan Budgets for the school library are due at the end of February All equipment ordered will be delivered by the end of the school year This gives us the entire summer to configure work space and create policies and procedures for the new computers and databases

8. Big Joe Bean Bag Dorm Chairs Big Joe Bean Bag Dorm Chair Smith System™ Interchange Diamond Desk 2-Student Diamond Desk Dell desktops Inspiron 22 3000 Paragon EMOJI™ Mobile Stack Chairs Paragon Emoji Chair w/ Casters OFM Endure Series Standing Height Tables Endure Series Furniture

9. Total Cost: $17,545.99 (*if DEMCO offers a discount $16,118.56) Budget

10. District 148 receives Title 1 funding and the libraries get a budget within that funding Previous Budgets: 2017/18- $80,000 2016/2017- $60,000 2015/2016- $60,000 The 2019/2020 school year’s budget will be announced at the end of January Those monies are meant to be split evenly amongst the 9 libraries every year We could update one library every year. That library would receive whatever money is needed for the upgrade and the rest is split amongst the others Funding

11. Problems and Evaluations Possible Problems: Funding may fall through or not be approved for the library upgrade project Schools may be unwilling to cooperate because they cannot see the long-term benefit There may not be enough desktops for each student to use or students are abusing their computer privileges Possible Evaluations/Assessment of upgraded programs: Survey students for their opinions about the upgrades Keep a running tab of who checks into the databases, how long they stay engaged, and how often they Track teachers’ use of and enthusiasm of the new facilities