SAVE MERCER ISLAND LIBRARY

Welcome to Library Lions.We interviewed Madeleine Smallwood, a sophomore at Mercer Island High School, for this Special Edition.

Welcome Madeleine. What’s happening at Mercer Island Library?

The King County Library System is planning to make changes to the [Mercer Island] library, changes that upset many patrons.

What changes are planned for the teen area?

They want to move the small meeting room away from the teen area. Teens use the small meeting room all the time for group projects and meetings, so it makes more sense to leave the small meeting room where it is for easy access for the teens.

Current location of small meeting room (on right), adjacent to teen area (on left).

In addition, the bookshelves are arranged parallel to the windows, allowing teens some privacy. The new setup would take away that privacy because the bookshelves would be placed at right angles to the windows, taking away the cozy feeling that the teens love.

View of current Teen Area from librarian’s desk

They are taking away the comfy couch that allows a place for teens to relax while reading or doing homework.

Also, they are replacing the tables in the teen area that are beside the windows, where groups working together have natural light, with a long shelf for computers. But this means that teens using computers would look at screens facing the windows, which makes it harder to see the screens against the light.

Work tables by windows with natural light in Teen Area.

So what are the plans for closing the library for all of this work?

At this point, KCLS estimates an 8 month closure. However, this seriously affects students, high school students in particular, who use the library every day. The library is within walking distance from Mercer Island High School, giving students a safe place to go and study after school or sports. Also the school library is only open for an hour after school and rarely provides the needed materials for schoolwork, since it is a small school library.

Mercer Island High School

Where can I get more information?

Take a look at our 5 minute video, SAVE MERCER ISLAND LIBRARY: A THREATENED SMALL TOWN LIBRARY

  

Visit our website: www.LibraryRemodel.com

Email us at libraryremodel@gmail.com 

Mercer Island High School sophomore Madeleine Smallwood addresses the King County Library System Board of Trustees

Thank you, Madeleine for your commitment to Mercer Island Library. We'll be mailing you a signed copy of Janet Lee Carey's newest teen fantasy IN THE TIME OF DRAGON MOON, due out March 24th, to show our gratitude. 

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. The 2015 calendar currently has openings. Come share your library and library programs with us.

Note to Authors: If you’re interested in Roaring for Libraries on this blog, contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. 

 

PAWS TO READ ROARS!

Welcome to Library Lions interviews Raising a Roar for libraries and the outstanding librarians serving youth in schools and public libraries across the U.S. Please Roar today’s guest, Lin Look!

Lin leading the Library Circle

Tell us a bit about yourself, Lin:
I am the Youth Services Librarian at the Orinda Library, part of the Contra Costa County Library System in the Bay Area of California. I’ve been in that position since 2000, and helped move into the then-new building in 2001. I started the Toddler storytime program and the first continuing Paws to Read program in the county.

 

The Skinny: What do you love most about your work?
Helping people find the right information, whether it is a travel book to Malaysia, a picture book featuring trucks AND dinosaurs or when the next Dork Diaries is scheduled to come out.

 

A Mighty Roar! In your own words tell us why libraries are so important.
Print books will always be important to my generation; but I think libraries are discovering many other ways of connecting.  I work in an affluent community where most people have a computer at home (not to mention several smartphones and an iPad), but we still have people at our public workstations every day.  People also sit at our tables with their tablets and laptops.  The library is a quiet space (for the most part), but also a community space.  Our window seats are tremendously popular.

A Lion’s Pride of Programs:
My Paws to Read program, started with Ginger Wadsworth, combines my favorite things: reading and pets.  In it, kids practice their reading with therapy dogs that have passed certification programs, proving there are both temperamentally stable and extremely people-friendly. 

 

Because the dogs just enjoy being with the children and don’t care if  they are reading at grade level, it can be less stressful for the kids than reading out loud in class or in front of their parents.  Many of the kids don’t have trouble reading but just enjoy hanging out with the dogs. 

 

Some can’t have dogs at home, some are allergic but Paws gives them indulge in furry love.  My dream would be to have a Paws to Read cat.

 

But therapy cats are harder to find than therapy dogs.

 Readers Roar: (Let’s hear from the kids!)

“I love to check out Batman books at the library”

“I like to read by the window” (we have window seats, and a toddler area with steps and big windows)

“Orinda Library Rocks! Thank you!”

Thanks again for the terrific interview, Lin!

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. The calendar for 2015 is currently wide open J

Note to Authors: If you’re interested in Roaring for Libraries on this blog, contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.