At a school board meeting on October 23, Southern Lehigh School District unveiled plans to transform the high school library into an enhanced learning space, intended for student innovation and exploration.
“We’re actively looking to make updates to the library in any shape and form,” high school principal Mr. Joshua Miller said.
The district plans to utilize professional input, continuous evaluations, and a feedback system to begin updating the library. The renovations focus on modernization, such as upgrading existing video calls and e-sports technology, and frequently updating the bookshelves.
“There [have] been talks about increasing technology, reshaping it, [and] bringing in texts, novels, [and] things kids want to read,” Mr. Miller said. “We’re open to everything under the sun.”
The plan also includes a marketing campaign to spread the word about library programs and services to students, staff, and the general public. However, due to four seat changes on the school board following the November general election, marketing details have been halted.
Many students feel that, in its current state, the library could be more useful on a day-to-day basis. Some point to the fact that students are rarely prompted or inspired to check out a book from the library.
“I can’t remember the last time anyone went to the library and got a book,” senior Grace Hannah said.
Others mention that reference books, many of which date back to the 1960s, are unnecessary in the Internet age.
“We don’t need the reference books,” senior Owen Cobb said. “They could be replaced with computers [for students] to Google information.”
As a result, Mr. Miller believes that the library must be transformed into a more welcoming and comfortable place to bring students into the area.
“When students use it, they love the area with the comfy, flexible seating. And then there’s an area with tables and chairs,” Mr. Miller said. “I want it to be a very flexible, welcoming space that can suit everyone’s needs.”
Being that these changes are significant, the renovation process will be lengthy. Given concerns that construction noise may impede learning in nearby classrooms, most of the work will have to be done outside of school hours.
“We would work in the summertime when students aren’t here,” Mr. Miller said. “We haven’t finalized [the] cost; we’re just [gathering data] to redo HVAC, flooring, furniture, shape, seating, [and] technology.”
When accounting for all factors, the final transformation may take several years.
