Thursday, October 20, 2016

Riverdale Library Learning Commons

Riverdale Elementary is loving their new Library Learning Commons and it's easy to see why! With some shelves removed and new comfortable furnishings, it's a very open and inviting space. When I visited, the K/1 students were just finishing their structures made from Keva Planks. This was my first experience with Keva Planks and I was amazed at the structures created by these primary students. I can see that they would appeal to a wide age range! The set also comes with instructions for more complicated structures and these would appeal to secondary students as well as adults. This would be a fun activity for buddy classes or parents and children to work on together. I love the creativity!


A fall tree at the computer search station.

Very creative Kindergarten and Grade 1 students built these structures.



The new Library Learning Commons at Riverdale.
Note the white board table just waiting for a group to come and brainstorm ideas!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Through the Forest to the Castle

Yesterday, the Surrey Chapter of the BCTLA met for our AGM at J.T. Brown Elementary (thanks to Emiline for hosting us!) I wanted to share a couple of photos of the library. I always like visiting libraries and these meetings are a great chance to network and come away with some great ideas. 
This library has a little forest in the centre space where the search stations are located. I love the visual break and calm feeling this creates. On the wall opposite is a castle with a dragon guarding some boxes of books. What an inviting space for students! 
Do you have a space in your library that students love? Please share your idea in the comments below!