Our Evolving Libraries

The physical space of libraries also plays an important role in inclusion. We need spaces that accommodate the many different ways that students learn.

BY LAURA SANDERS,
HEAD LIBRARIAN

I have always been fascinated by the school library’s unique ability to be a classroom to every student in the building. It is a place where they can learn and explore in ways that suit them best. So I appreciated that LCC’s new strategic plan aligned naturally with shifts toward greater inclusion also happening in the library field.

To ensure that our libraries are welcoming and inclusive to all students, my team and I have focused on two aspects: the collection and the library spaces themselves. Our objective is to grow a collection that goes beyond simply reflecting the diversity of the LCC family and the global community. We purposefully acquire titles that celebrate a range of cultures and backgrounds. The teachers and library staff have worked hard to revise the reading lists so that students explore perspectives they may not have encountered before. This year, we are performing a diversity audit of our collection to identify our strengths and areas for growth to ensure that every member of our community sees themselves represented.

The physical space of libraries also plays an important role in inclusion. We need spaces that accommodate the many different ways that students learn. Some prefer quiet, independent study while others do best in collaborative groups. Some come to read and relax while others want to do puzzles and socialize with their friends. In the fall, the Junior library received new furniture that allows students the flexibility to move easily between these modes. In 2024, the Senior library will undergo a renovation that will make it easier to move fluidly between independent study, small group collaboration, class activities, and large community events.

Of course, it is the caring, personalized approach of the library staff that most fosters inclusion. Greeting students with a smile, chatting with them about their day, checking in when they’re shy or unsure—each of these interactions gives the students a sense of belonging and acceptance, and makes the library a place that truly belongs to everyone at LCC.