Media center remodeling makes a tree the focal point of a bright, colorful room at Willmar’s Roosevelt Elementary – West Central Tribune

Its not a real tree, exactly. Its a piece of furniture, with a bench circling its wide trunk and leaves and branches reaching to the ceiling. Lights above the tree can change color, from green to red or orange or blue.

The tree has been there about a year now, a centerpiece of the media center remodeling funded by the bond approved in a 2015 referendum.

Work on referendum projects is winding down. A new elementary school and additions at the middle and high schools were the marquee projects of the $52 million referendum. Maintenance work and remodeling have provided updates in all school buildings.

At Roosevelt a more traditional library was transformed into a bright, modern space. The large room had been a large room with straight rows of book-packed shelves and a group of large tables with chairs in the back of the room.

Now, its brighter, with new paint and flooring. Curved shelves are distributed around the room along with small tables and chairs. Pops of blue, purple and bright green are spread throughout the room.

Kindergarteners sitting on the bench under the tree said they really like having it in the room. They especially like the way the top of the tree lights up.

The furniture is designed to appeal to young kids. A few pieces have floor-level tunnels for students to squirm through. If someone wants to settle into a tunnel to read, thats OK, too.

Stuffed animals are waiting for kids to read to them.

Media center specialist Bethany Roisland said the book collection was updated, too.

A section of graphic novels has been added. All kids enjoy the illustrated books, she said, and the combination of words and illustrations can help make connections for kids learning English.

The overall collection reflects more diversity than it may have in the past, including materials about many different kinds of people. We try to emphasize different populations, she said.

While students enjoyed the remodeled media center from the start, changes keep coming as everyone adjusts to the new space.

For example, Roisland has found that kids have their own ideas about how to use some spaces.

She had planned to develop seating in a corner where she and other teachers use a Smart Board for instruction. It turned out students enjoyed just sitting on the floor while she teaches them keyboarding.

Roisland is in her second year with the district. She didnt work in the old media center but library paraprofessional Molly Morris did.

The old center was very utilitarian, said Morris. We keep evolving. She has enjoyed watching children enjoy the colorful space and modern furniture.

Libraries in the past were quiet places, but that has changed. The image of a librarian shushing giggling students is gone. A media center now is a more active and interactive place, Roisland said. Sometimes, theres even music playing.

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Media center remodeling makes a tree the focal point of a bright, colorful room at Willmar's Roosevelt Elementary - West Central Tribune