Better than before
KHS library receives makeover
Seniors Eryka Hopper and Kendall Trevino work on a project together inside one of the new rooms within the library. “I like that I was able to get away from the rush of the class to work,” Trevino said. “I didn’t get distracted by all of the conversations around me.”
The library received a makeover during the summer. The new additions include several styles of modular furniture and rooms designed for students and teachers to work on projects or have meetings.
“I love that the new furniture can be moved and adjusted to meet the needs of the class or situation,” KISD Instructional Technology Coordinator Carl Mohn said. “I understand that all furniture can be moved, but the modular nature of the new furniture allows it to easily be configured in different ways.”
This makeover was accomplished through the efforts of Mohn and principal April Cox. Mohn received a $25,000 grant for digital learning breakout rooms. Cox received a $10,000 grant to purchase additional furniture to create collaborative learning spaces.
“We just had to imagine,” Mohn said. “We can accomplish a lot if we can just dream of new ways to do something. In this instance, Mrs. Cox had a vision of what she wanted to do, and I just helped her put it into words. We wrote two complimentary grants that helped cast the vision of what innovative learning spaces could look like.”
This new environment is designed to promote flexibility and collaboration within students’ learning. The smaller meeting rooms are designed to promote group work in a smaller, more secluded setting. The larger seating arrangements allow for students and teachers to make the necessary adjustments to better serve their purpose, whether that be presentations, meetings, or simply just class discussions.
“This new set-up will benefit the students greatly,” librarian Marsha Edney said. “Flexibility is a priority to the students’ needs and comfort.”
In comparison to the old layout and furniture of the library, the new facilities have received high praise from all angles.
“The new facilities are uplifting,” Edney said. “We moved the short bookcases to replace the tall ones that were blocking additional natural light. It feels so open and inviting.”
Library assistant Lovetta Williams would say that the best new feature is the carpet.
“The grey color is more calming, and it looks much more new, mature, and contemporary than the previous color,” she said.
Some students would have to say that the best feature is the new couches.
“The couches are such a comforting feature,” junior Sara Buchanan said. “It makes several of my friends and me feel much more relaxed while we work on different assignments.”
Not only is the furniture new, but the layout and organization of the books within the library has changed. The fiction genres have been spread out more and clearly labeled for easier student access.
“I’m able to find exactly what I’m looking for despite the layout looking different than it did last year,” senior Jessica Baker said.
Along with the library comes the hope of more learning environments designed to promote flexibility and collaboration.
“I hope this will serve as a model for future learning spaces at KHS,” Mohn said. “What’s beautiful about what we’re trying to do in education is that it will never be done. At some point we run out of time and money, so what you currently see is a result of that. I’m excited about the new learning spaces we’ve helped to build, but I also know that we aren’t done.”
There are several classrooms that have easily adjustable seating instead of the basic desk seating. The redesigned library will be able to emphasize the benefits of these environments, and it has the potential to change the learning environment at Kilgore as we know it.
“I hope it changes everything,” Mohn said. “That’s not an exaggeration. Your teachers and administrators need to be doing everything they possibly can to help students learn. Sometimes that means creating interactive and innovative lessons. Sometimes it means changing the way we’ve always taught something. Sometimes it means we redesign the learning space to help open your minds to what learning could be. After all, it’s all about the learning anyway.”