Reimagining Your Library Space: How to Increase the Vibes in Your Library No Matter What Your Budget

Librarians are leading the way in creating future-ready citizens – now we need to update our spaces to match. In this session, attendees will get inspiration for transforming their library spaces. You’ll learn how to survey students and patrons, create a focus group, and use design thinking to brainstorm ideas for your space. We’ll discuss budget friendly ways to change your space as well as how to find funding. No matter where you’re at, you’ll find ideas for reimagining your space in this session.

1. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com How to
REIMAGINING
Diana Rendina, MLIS
Teacher Librarian, Speaker, Writer
@DianaLRendina
RenovatedLearning.com
Your Library Space
INCREASE THE VIBES
no matter what your budget
in your space

2. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DIANA RENDINA, MLIS
•Teacher Librarian at Tampa
Preparatory School, 6-12
independent, since 2017
•Media Specialist at Stewart
Middle Magnet School in
Tampa, FL from 2010-2017
•Blogger @ RenovatedLearning
•Demco K-12 Librarian Council
•2016 ISTE Outstanding Young
EducatorPortrait by Ally Twarog

3. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com What are your most favorite
and least favorite things
about your library space?

4. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com STEWART
MIDDLE MAGNET
Transforming the
dark, neglected
cave

5. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com About Stewart
•Public STEM Magnet Middle School
•Hillsborough County Public Schools (8th largest
district in USA in 2016)
•Grades 6-8
•Urban location near downtown Tampa
•Title 1 - 75% of students on free or reduced
lunch
•The library is in the original building’s (1956)
cafeteria

6. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com STEWART CIRCA 2010

7. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com BEFORE…

8. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TRANSFORMATION - 2014

9. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com

10. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com BEFORE…

11. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com

12. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TAMPA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

13. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com ABOUT TAMPA PREP
•Independent 6-12 co-ed college prep school
founded in downtown Tampa in 1974
•700+ students
•1:1 iPad, Active Learning Environments
•Current building was constructed in 2002
•Library was partially renovated in 2016
•Next renovation will be in 2024-2025

14. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com LARGE OPEN SPACE, LOTS OF LIGHT

15. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com FICTION, COMPUTERS

16. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com The IDEAlab

17. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com MAKER DAYS + COLLABS

18. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #1
Identify the
Problem Areas in
your space

19. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DOCUMENT YOUR PROBLEMS
Take photos, track data

20. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Stewart Problem Areas
Meeting setups
cluttered space

21. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Stewart Problem Areas
Safety
hazards

22. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Stewart Problem Areas
Clutter, fire hazards
during special events

23. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Tampa Prep Problem Areas
Shelves too crowded;
Desperately needed
weeding

24. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Tampa Prep Problem Areas
Special event & lecture
layout - tables are behind
the curtain. Cuts off access
to books

25. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com No variety in learning zones

26. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #2
Start making plans
for your space

27. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com SURVEY YOUR SCHOOL
Ask your community for input

28. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com FIND INSPIRATION
Visit other learning spaces

29. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DRAW UP YOUR LAYOUT
Plan like an architect

30. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Ask vendors for ideas
Floorplan & furniture from Mien

31. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Visuals can help sell your plan
Design by Shawna Ley, Demco

32. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Visuals can help sell your plan
Design by Shawna Ley, Demco

33. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DO YOUR RESEARCH
Study Learning Space Design

34. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DREAM UP POSSIBILITIES
What would your ideal be?

35. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com LOOK FOR THE ZONES
Where could they fit?

36. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com FOCUS GROUP BRAINSTORMING
Visual ideation
Edutopia’s Remake Your Class

37. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #3
Work with what
you’ve got

38. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com LESS IS MORE
Weed your collection & your furniture

39. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com MAKE SOME WALL/FLOOR SPACE
Take down shelves you don’t need

40. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com PLAY HOUSE
Rearrange your furniture

41. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com BEFORE…

42. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com

43. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Storage area to study nook

44. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #4
Your collection is
part of the space
too

45. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Can all patrons see themselves in your collection?
Recommended Resource:
Library Journal Diversity Audit Course

46. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING
Does your shelving create overwhelm?

47. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com WEED BY THE NUMBERS
Aged, Out of Date

48. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com JUST WEED IT!
Cover art - will today’s patrons read this?

49. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com BUY WHAT YOUR PATRONS WANT

50. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com VIBRANT DISPLAYS

51. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com CONSIDER GENREFICATION

52. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com De-emphasizing Dewey

53. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Embrace Dynamic Shelving
*Kelsey Bogan resources

54. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #5
Spruce things up

55. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DIY DECOR
Alphabet Wall at Christie Elementary
Photo courtesy of Jess Malloy

56. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com SMALL INVESTMENTS
Paint, indoor plants, decor, etc.

57. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com MAKE BETTER SIGNS
Help students find what they need

58. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com EMBRACE STUDENT CREATION
Empower students to design

59. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com LEGO, WHITEBOARD, CHALK
Create interactive spaces

60. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TIP #6
Find creative
funding and make
plans for bigger
projects

61. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com PTA, SAC, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, ETC
Micro-projects

62. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com TITLE 1 + GOV’T FUNDS
Tech improvements

63. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DONORSCHOOSE:LEGO Wall

64. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DONORSCHOOSE:Hokki Stools

65. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DONORSCHOOSE:Whiteboard Wall

66. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com BOOKFAIRS + FUNDRAISERS

67. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

68. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com SEARCH FOR GRANTS FOR BIG CHANGES

69. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com What is a change you can
make right away to start
transforming your library?

70. NEVER STOP DREAMING
Change won’t happen if
you just sit still

71. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com

72. @DianaLRendina * RenovatedLearning.com Resources: h Presentation resources