DHS Library receives a Lowes Toolbox Grant!!

As everyone in education knows, grants for equipment and teaching resources are plentiful.  Every year there are multiple opportunities for teachers to supply their students with iPads or supply their classrooms with crayons.  Money for building materials, furniture, and whatnot; however, is scarce.  Unfortunately for us, that is exactly what we need at the DHS Library.  Our circulation area is a hodge-podge of mismatched desks and recycled shelving.  Our student computer area is simply two tables (now sagging in the middle) with a collection of random chairs.  We thought we would forever have to simply put up with our trashy furniture, but this year we applied for a Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant and lo and behold we got it!

Our grant check came in the mail today - over $2,000 for building materials and supplies!  Armed with a diagram of our new circulation desk and several pictures of what we are shooting for, we are due to meet with the maintenance department this week and discuss building plans, timelines, and a finalized supply list.

Here are several “before” pictures.  I am sure there will be dramatic “after” pictures in a few months.

These are pictures of our current circulation “situation.”  As you can see, there is NO ROOM.  Things are bunched up and all over the place.  Nothing is uniform and (partially because I am a messy person by nature) the shelves behind the desk are an utter mess.  There is no book drop, so the cart in front serves as the book return as well as the place to put books after they have been checked in, which can get confusing.

This is our student computer area.  It may be hard to see, but the wall is in need of paint.  We actually just moved a bookshelf this week to make room here.  Maintenance added a baseboard to the wall today and filled in holes in the cinder blocks.  We have requested new electrical outlets on this wall as well as Internet drops.

We are so very excited about this grant and the opportunity to upgrade our library!  We already have over 15% of the school in the library every day at lunch and/or before school.  Not to mention the between classes run-ins.  I really think this will be a great improvement and a source of great pride for our school.

THANK YOU LOWES!!