BCS Advantage Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 9

Extreme Makeover : Library Edition Contributors : Amy Lunsford , Woodfin Elementary and Katy Darty , North Buncombe High

“ Our students are amazed by their new library ,” says Amy Lunsford , media specialist at Woodfin Elementary . “ This media center transformation is a blessing to our school .”
Thanks to generous donations and fundraising help from the nearby Reynolds Mountain Homeowners Association , the Woodfin Elementary library has been transformed into a bright , contemporary learning center . This project caps a two-year , over $ 100,000 investment from the Reynolds Mountain HOA . The main goal was to increase students ’ access to technology .
“ We wanted to get involved because we understand the value of a good education , and we wanted to make sure our neighbors ’ children have the best education possible ,” says Reynolds Mountain resident Lori Herlin . “ Working at the elementary school level is important to get the children started on the right track .”
North Buncombe High School ’ s library also got a makeover ! This project was a practical hands-on learning experience for the Interior Design , art , and welding students ! Led by media specialist Katy Darty , the students helped transform their library into a modern and welcoming space ! Ms . Darty describes how a simple idea turned into a meaningful school project !
When we started this project we had no idea how much it would grow . We came up with the idea of updating our library , but we didn ’ t know where to start so we teamed up with our Interior Design II class for help . Our students brainstormed and came up with our color scheme and proposed ideas of how they wanted our space to change .
We also had help from other areas of our school . The Interior Design students did most of the sanding , priming , and painting , as well as updating our coffee tables with old yearbook photos from extra NBHS yearbooks . Our welding class created new magazine shelves out of extra book shelves . Our art teacher approached us about having our students paint murals on the wall and our computer chairs in the style of famous works of art .
The changes we ’ ve made have completely transformed our library , and it is so much more welcoming now . You can ’ t help but smile as soon as you walk through the doors .
If you ’ d like to learn more about the Woodfin Library makeover and how the North Buncombe High library remodel has inspired other media specialists across the country , log on to BCSAdvantage . org . 7