In addition to using the library for academic purposes, students enjoy the opportunity to decompress and have downtime in the library. The library is open to students for their free time before school, during our four lunch periods, and after school. These are ideal times for students to read for pleasure and to utilize the makerspace/creativity corner.  

With the My Library is...Grant, we added fiction and nonfiction books to the library to meet student requests and continue to diversify the collection. We added materials for the makerspace and creativity corner area (3D printer, button maker, Cricut, origami, paint by sticker, jewelry making, adult coloring, duct tape crafts, etc.). To promote the library, we are open for parents to explore during Back to School Night in the fall and during all Parent-Teacher conference nights. We also use digital signage around the building and the school’s social media accounts to promote library events. The library staff promoted these services with the students throughout the school year with new book displays, book talks, and lunchtime promotions of makerspace/creativity corner items like button making, jewelry making, etc. This project benefited students when they came to the library for individual checkouts. Many of our English classes require students to have an independent reading book. A wider selection of titles and multiple copies of popular titles helped students find something of interest.  

This project also provided an opportunity for students to have time to take a mental break, refocus, express their creativity, and relax for a moment in the library with the makerspace and creativity corner activities. Whether they were using the provided notecards to write a note to a friend or teacher, 3D print a design, design some jewelry, or play chess, students had a chance to take a pause from academics for a minute before resuming their studies. 

This is a picture of the Creativity Corner in the library, which features relaxing activities like chess, paint-by-sticker, jewelry making, origami, adult coloring, and more. 

Today's blog post was written by Susan Bohn, Library Media Specialist, Hononegah High School. 

This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.