Transforming School Libraries into Media Centers
Do you remember going to the school library for a research project, browsing the card catalog, pulling several books, taking out a stack of 3×5 cards to take notes on meticulously, and arranging all the materials around you on a large table before getting to work? Congratulations, your school had a library!
Although schools still have libraries—wide-open spaces with good lighting, comfortable furniture, and space to work—the work done by students and educators in those spaces has changed. Students take entire courses on iPads; YouTube and Twitch videos are part of many lesson plans; and digital textbooks are, in some cases, supplanting research materials. Although these activities can coexist within traditional library spaces, new design sensibilities and upgraded technology are needed to help students and educators leverage these shared spaces effectively to improve learning outcomes.
Upgrading your K-12 school library to a media center can help you meet your tech-savvy, digital-first learners (and teachers) where they are without sacrificing any of the library’s current functionality. With simple but meaningful changes—like the addition of internet connectivity, places to charge devices, and comfortable, modular furniture made from noise-dampening materials—the traditional library becomes a modern media center, a catalyst for improved teaching and learning, and a point of pride for your school.
In many cases, the school library is a multifunctional space shared by students, educators, and the community—serving as a polling place, community meeting center, or a place to host other school functions like awards ceremonies. When you plan with flexible use in mind, all the furniture can be repurposed and repositioned on the fly. The space can be a polling place in the morning, a research/media center during the day, and host an awards ceremony for student-athletes that evening.
When you partner with STS to upgrade your school library to a modern media center, you’ll get expertise from working professionals trained in modern pedagogy. We have real educators on staff to help you make informed decisions and realize the best ROI on your media center investment. Contact us today to get started!