After months of planning, fundraising and shipping delays, Pine View’s newly renovated library is officially open. The renovation transformed the space with new furniture, flexible seating and areas designed for students from elementary through high school.
According to Silke Cuff, the PVA president, the project began after the district raised concerns that the Media Center was not meeting the students’ needs. The school worked with MiEN, the same company that furnished Building 17, to redesign the space.
“We set up a Zoom call and literally within 12 hours we had a design that we could start working with,” Cuff said.
The new space includes more soft seating for high school students and a raised seating area for elementary students that can be used for read-alouds. The shelves can also be moved, allowing the library to be rearranged for staff meetings and other activities.
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Pine View held a grand opening, and ribbon cutting ceremony to officially celebrate the completion of the renovated library. After months of designing, renovating and preparing the space, students, staff and members of the school community gathered to mark the opening of the new media center.
Pat Morgerson, Pine View’s media technician, said she is pleased with the changes to the space including her very own new desk.
“I love the renovations, the layout, the new furniture, the new shelving,” Morgerson said.
Morgerson said the renovated space also provides an opportunity to showcase new additions to the library’s collection.
“We do have some great new books that we got towards the end of last year and so we’re featuring some of those,” Morgerson said.
Cuff said the project was a collaborative effort involving volunteers and PVA members who helped bring the new space together.
“We were really happy to do this for the kids, the teachers, and we’re just glad that we were able to finish it,” Cuff said.
Written by: Katerina Mazzo.
Interviews by: Athena Erbe.
Photo credits: Jakob Roche, Athena Erbe