Elkmont High School will soon be home to a state-of-the-art library facility designed by students.
The
school was given $55,524 from the State Farm Insurance Youth Advisory
board to fund the renovation of the school library.
A student committee
is now working with local professionals on the design. “We
wanted to create a space that drew more of the high schoolers in and
make it more inviting to all of the students,” said Elkmont Assistant
Principal Haley James.
Further research
showed the current library is geared more toward Elkmont's elementary
grades, who visit the library weekly for class, but librarians cannot
make extensive changes for older students when the state allocated
budget for libraries shrinks each year, James said. So,
when applying for the grant, the decision was made to not only recreate
the space to be more inviting for older students, but let the students
themselves guide its design.
“It's drawn quite a few kids,” James said about the project. “I think once we get started we'll have more kids want to join in.”
The
committee, called Project CEO (for Career Exploration Operation), are
divided into subcommittees, such as interior design, art, carpentry,
technology and academic mentorship.
The
committee will work with the guidance of industry professionals for the
entire project to select the new library appearance and how it will be
refurbished. Huntsville architecture
firm Suqua & Partners will act as mentors for the subcommittees
drawing up blueprints and other models. Other students will work with
instructors from Limestone Career Tech School to complete the carpentry
work.
Students chose the collective history of the town of Elkmont as the theme for the new library, James said. The
art subcommittee will work with Scottsboro artist Sonya Clemmons to
paint murals inside the library depicting the founding of the town, its
early days and a pictorial history of the school itself.
On
the technology side, James said the students plan to install a sound
system and projector that can be accessed over wireless connections,
making the library a space for presentation and not just research. But
for those interested in research, the committee is planning to secure
iMac desktop computers, and Apple iPads for the elementary librarians to
use with their younger groups.
If the
budget allows, James said, the school is also looking at installing a
3D printer and other STEM machines in the new library to give students
the opportunity to participate in hands-on research.
The timeline for Project CEO has all the work done by May, the end of the school year, James said.
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