Discover the latest on the temporary relocation of Parks’ beloved hub of knowledge and creativity. Staff and students adjust to the media center closure this school year, and the movement from the first floor to the second.
After taking her classes into the temporary location, ninth grade English teacher Callie Hefstad said she recognizes the hard work and creativity of the media center team to establish this new space.
“They were innovative in trying to figure out a space that would work,” Hefstad said. “I know that Ms. Allison worked hard to try and make it work.”
Sophomore Riley Ridgway said the staff in the media center are great, and she appreciates the resources that are provided for students despite the limited capacity.
“The librarians are making it very nice and they’re helpful with everything they do,” Ridgway said. “There’s good resources in there as well, such as the coloring table and all that good stuff in that small space.”
According to Hefstad, the ninth grade English department is going to adapt to the small space by planning more field trips to the local library.
“As ninth grade English teachers this year, our goal is to bring students to the Hennepin County Library more so that we can provide opportunities for books and things like that to adjust because of the media center,” Hefstad said.
After helping students with book checkouts, librarian Nancy Becerra-Balbuena said the change in location also brings more enthusiasm.
“From what I’ve seen, students are more excited,” Becerra-Balbuena said. “ I would say even the bathrooms being more open than last year, some are just curious and have been hearing it’s moved; they pop in and say, ‘hi.’”
Hefstad said there are a couple challenges this development brings as well, such as limited learning space and less access to as many genres of books.
“Something that I was a noticing was that some students wanted to read a nonfiction book, and that’s one area that is just not as strong,” Hefstad said. “We don’t have as many of those books out down there just because there isn’t space.”
Ridgway said she can’t wait for the new media center, and that she loves the one Park has right now.
“As much as I love the library center now, I’m really, really excited for the new one,” Ridgway said. “I’m so excited for all the opportunities I’m going to have in it and how amazing it’s going to be all nice and redone.”
