The library construction has officially begun. The library closed to students on March 10, and all the library books were relocated to room 401. With these new renovations underway, students and staff that used the library have different opinions on the way the construction is being handled, and how it is affecting their school days.
Many students have been struggling with the loss for different reasons.
“It’s affected me by not being able to go in and out to try out new books and just, I’m not much of a reader, but I’ve been trying to read more to increase my liking of it so it’s hard because I can’t,” freshman Ella Mead said.
Other students miss the environment more than the actual books.
“The library being closed is pretty hard on me, because all the time, I enjoy that space, it’s a pretty enjoyable space to have some time to be able to work in, like, in the early mornings before class,” senior Bobby McKinney said.
Some students are less affected by the absence.
“I never really went in there, the only time I go in there is if I need to study, or I need to go get a book or something. I just normally study at home,” junior Landon Behrman said.
It is not only students who are affected, but teachers too.
“It’s affected me tremendously because it has a lot of valuable resources that we can use as teachers and students,” resource teacher Clint Snyder said.
Teachers and students alike are missing the large collection of books that Mrs. Brown keeps.
“The library being closed has affected me and my classes because we haven’t been able to go and check out any books this quarter, which has been really sad,” english teacher Mrs. Thompson said. “And also, I just miss the space because Mrs. Brown makes it the most relaxing, enjoyable time in there. I’m looking forward to the new remodel. I think it’s gonna be amazing and I can’t wait for Mrs. Brown to have her space back and see all the cool stuff that they add in.”
Building technology support Will Gines has been temporarily moved to room 206. He reflects on how the move has affected him most.
“I mean, just moving all tech equipment, that’s pretty much all. But as far as like, the day to day, not really much affected me. Just moving everything that I had in my office was quite a bit of work.” Gines said.
The construction in the library has caused temporary walls to be put up around the library. Teachers in the library hallways explain how it has affected their classes.
“It can be a distraction at the beginning and end of class, but since we’re a band class, where there’s a lot of sounds already happening, it’s not like silence is, is a normal thing,” band director Michael Filla said.
The construction walls have also affected how students and staff move around in the hallways between classes.
“We have to be cautious when there is, the construction workers are coming in and out if it happens to be when we’re transitioning, but otherwise, it hasn’t been that big of a problem,” Filla said.
The library has been temporarily moved to room 401. Librarian Amy Brown finds both positives and negatives in the new space.
“Well, my space is much smaller, so that’s definitely different. I don’t have like places for kids to come in and work, so that’s kind of a bummer, but it’s actually been better than I had thought it was going to be.” Brown said.
Brown explains the most difficult parts about being away from the library.
“One, the space. Two, just having people coming in and out a little bit more regularly, and using the library as a workspace, not just for books,” Brown said.
Now that Brown is in the new room, she details how her day now differs from before.
“It’s much quieter. I’m still teaching, so I go into classrooms now to teach, so that’s been good that I still had the opportunity to do that.” Brown said. “But, right now, I’m kind of on hold for the library stuff I do, like updating the collection, or placing orders, or making sure everything’s in order, because it’s just such a smaller space. So it’s just much quieter, but like I said, I’ve been busier and had more people in here than I thought I would, so that’s a really good thing.”
Despite initial disappointment about the lack of a library, students look to the future for hope.
“I really like going to the library, I’m a huge fan of the library, and it being closed is kind of sad for a few months, but it’ll come back and it’ll be better.” freshman Eleanore Olsen said.
