Reimagining Library Spaces: Transform your Space on Any Budget

by Diana Rendina

With the advent of modern technologies and the rise of participatory and active learning pedagogy, the traditional school library model is no longer as effective as it once was.
Reimagining Library Spaces helps librarians rethink the library space, including the changing role of technology, showing ways to transform how students learn in and use these spaces.
Find the guidance you need to make smart and efficient updates to your library space that encourage the use of technology to improve student learning.
This book includes:
Tips and strategies for transforming your outdated library space on a small budget.
How-to’s for addressing the challenges and opportunities brought about by the changing role of technology, including collaborative learning labs, makerspaces and ways to support BYOD.
Practical suggestions for finding ideas to improve your space, inventory your library and survey your community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Librarianship

150 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2017

About the author

Diana Rendina, MLIS, is the media specialist at Tampa Preparatory School, an independent 6-12 in Tampa, FL. She was previously the media specialist at Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa, FL from 2010-2017. She is the creator of the blog RenovatedLearning.com. Diana participates in ISTE, FAME and AASL. She served on the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Committee from 2012 to 2015.

Diana is the co-author of Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace and is the author of Reimagining Library Spaces.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Practical advice, but pretty general and more of an overview.

[Deenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource for those just entering a library position

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for librarians, library directors, library students... this book has lots of ideas, both big and small, for improving a media center. I do wish the pictures had been in color (though it would have increased the price). In addition, it could be hard to figure out the beauty of the "after" in some of the images. I'll have to check out the author's website to find out more

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how you watch a home makeover show on HGTV and see the before photos and think - hey! that looks my house! What's so bad about my house? I like my house. That's how I felt about some of the school library before photos in Reimagining Library Spaces. I thought - hey! That school library looks fine to me!

I was never really into the whole library space transformation thing. Probably why my former school library space now looks five hundred times better with its new media specialist. But in seriousness, it's a great book for someone at the beginning of their school library transformation journey or someone new to the profession. I especially like that Rendina doesn't advocate for renaming a school library to "innovation hub" or something dumb that like that.

[Aaron Maurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as I have much respect for Diana Rendina and her work in education. I have had the luxury to have her on my podcast to speak about learning spaces and makerspaces.

This book is a great resource to getting started with rethinking our learning spaces. As students, learning, and schools evolve we must take a critical look at the space in which we are trying to reach our goals.

Not only are the ideas practical and helpful, but there are so many other wonderful resources cited that this book is just the beginning to a new journey of learning to rethink the landscape of education.

This is a wonderful book to read, discuss, and apply to enahnce education.

[Erin Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incorporating modern technology into a library does not always have to be crazy expensive or unattainable for librarians with a limited budget. Rendina's book offers school librarians tips, tricks, and strategies on how they can upgrade their spaces and libraries to better serve the needs of students without completely gutting the existing library. She covers how librarians can use makerspaces and interactive learning labs, better assist students with the "bring your own device", and make the library a more comfortable space for students to utilize.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful book when you are considering transforming your library space. The appendix includes ways you can update your space from $0 to $1,000.

There are great questions at the end of each chapter to help you reflect on what you want to change, how to involve the community, etc. I plan on sitting down and working through some of them tomorrow.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are at all considering making any changes to your school library, from small to 100% renovation, you need to read this book. Gives lots of tips and ideas and suggestions on how to do the free & small to large & expensive.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with practical ideas from renovating to creating all new library spaces.

[Bobbi Galvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Practical advice, but pretty general and more of an overview

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reimagining Library Spaces is a helpful resource that I have read, reread, and referenced multiple times over the past year.

[Shayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide for school libraries who are planning on remodeling/refreshing their space. I used this resource for a graduate school project.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a self-help book for work purposes ... also as part of my TKES goal for the year. It was great and informative.