With April being National School Library Month, it’s a good time to remind students about why school libraries are important for the school and community.
Normal West’s IMC has already received new furniture in the blended lab, allowing teachers and students to easily move around the furniture for activities such as discussions and station-based work. There are also outlets in the tables for students to charge their devices.
Looking forward, the IMC will also be getting rid of the thirty-year-old carpeting and will receive new carpet over the summer.
However, the updates to the IMC won’t stop with this furniture and carpet.
In fact, West staff have created a five-year plan for an IMC remodel.
“This needs to happen in stages as funds become available since we don’t have the kind of budget in place to remodel the entire space at once,” Tera Hafermann, the IMC Specialist, explained.
For instance, in the next stage, Hafermann hopes to update the table and seating area at the front of the IMC.
The circular and rectangle tables are the original heavy, wood tables that have been at West since the opening which are beginning to splinter along the edges.
“We need a dynamic, collaborative and flexible space that supports 21st century learners and that works with the technology that we have today, so we’re moving in that direction…, which is really great,” Hafermann stated.
Not only is it important to keep the furniture and IMC space up-to-date, but the book collection needs to stay up to date as well.
As students and the bigger world change, the book collection in the IMC also has to change.
For example, the librarian has to update the non-fiction book section to make sure the books are relevant to the students’ lives and the world today.
“We follow a collection development policy that supports the school curriculum, reflects our diverse population of students, and their reading pleasure. It’s very important that our collection meets the needs of our students, our staff, and the curriculum,” Hafermann said.
But school libraries are not just a place to check out books; in fact, West’s IMC provides a variety of resources for students and staff.
“It goes beyond the books; school librarians support students’ research needs through media and information literacy instruction, making sure that we’re teaching students how to navigate our information landscape, which is becoming more and more complex,” Hafermann explained.
Clearly, the IMC specialist’s job also goes well-beyond checking out books.
“[We go into] classrooms to teach how to critically analyze sources of information to determine whether or not sources are credible, often through the process of lateral reading. We also show students where to go to find quality sources of information through our research databases,” Hafermann added.
Most West students have had at least one lesson taught by Hafermann.
In fact, 55% of administrators believe it’s crucial for school librarians to collaborate with teachers in their lessons.
While about 88% of schools have libraries, some schools still lack one.
According to the American Library Association, 8,830 public schools in the USA do not have a library and 17,000 public schools don’t have full or part-time state-certified school librarians.
West’s IMC is not only a place for students to do research and get work done. It is a hub for students–a place to come and relax.
The IMC provides a space that welcomes all students; students can go there to check out books, read, work on a puzzle, play chess, color, relax, and study.
“Everybody can find their place here, so that’s something I’m really proud of. I feel like it’s a safe and welcoming place for students,” Hafermann said.
Most West students will visit the IMC at some point: for a book, to print, get help with their laptop, research instruction or with a class, etc.
“My favorite thing is being able to see all students. It seems like at some point all students will come through the IMC. I also like that my day is always different depending on the classes I’m scheduled with so that’s really fun,” Hafermann explained.
Overall, school libraries allow a place for students to access knowledge and books they can see themselves in that they wouldn’t be able to readily access elsewhere.
“The IMC is the heart of the school. We serve all the students at Normal West,” Hafermann stated.
