Thoreau Library Redesign Focuses on the Love of Reading

Sitting in the library at Thoreau Elementary, it’s easy to see how an “open concept” created unintentional distractions.

That’s because the library faces the school's main hallway, and there aren’t any walls to block out the noise of students travelling to lunch, recess or specials.

“If I’m doing a read-aloud with one class, and another class has to come through the hallway to get to recess, students have a really hard time hearing even if they sit right at my feet,” Thoreau librarian Lisa Hempstead said. “That makes it really hard for kids to focus during their library time.”

But thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Thoreau’s library is set for some big changes this summer — starting with the addition of some much needed walls. 

“We had gotten money from a donor about six years ago for some new tables, chairs and a rug, but I made the comment that what I really wanted was walls,” Hempstead said. “So we went back to the donor who basically said, ‘we could do that.’”

Along with the walls, air conditioning is being added to the library — plus new tables, chairs and bookshelves will arrive over the summer to give the library its final face lift.

While new walls are getting most of the attention, new bookshelves are also a critical part of the redesign. Thoreau currently has bookshelves that only display the spine of a book, while the new shelves have dedicated space to feature covers.

Adding space to feature a cover gives younger students a visual to pair with the text in the book, driving excitement to read books at their age level.

“I’m most excited that the library is going to be designed for kids to fall in love with reading,” Principal Emily Jensen said. “They’ll have better access to books because of new shelving, which will encourage students to read more and focus on the material in the book more effectively.”

Because of the redesign, Hempstead has to trim her library collection from 20,000 books to 15,000, and get rid of just about all her bookshelves, tables and chairs. 

However that stuff isn’t going to a dumpster. They’re being sent around Madison to other schools who can put them to use.

“Each and every book in our library is precious to me, so it’s hard to pick out books that won’t be here next year,” Hempstead said. “But it’s a lot easier knowing that everything will still be used at other schools.”

It’s been a whirlwind few months of designing, planning and packing, but excitement around the library redesign has percolated through the school.

“I showed students a slideshow of what the mock-ups and designs for the space are, and they were so thrilled,” Hempstead said. “I told the fifth graders they’ll have to come back and visit next year so they can experience the new library too.”