By Holly Crocco
The students at Mattew Paterson Elementary School in Carmel/Kent now have a better space to read, learn, and explore, thanks to a library makeover that was completed before the holidays and dedicated to head of the building’s facilities department, Larry Kershaw.
According to Lauren Santabarbara, interim assistant superintendent for instruction and personnel, the old library was 53 years old, having never been renovated since the school was built in 1971. It is the library for the biggest elementary school in the district.
The old atmosphere included outdated, oversized desks and shelves that didn’t provide enough learning space for students and classes to gather.
The new library, however, includes not only new furniture and supplies, but also reading nooks for independent reading and small groups, as well as a classroom space.
“It encourages young adult literature, so that’s really getting into not just your curriculum, but going outside into science-fiction and regular fiction,” said Santabarbara at the December Carmel School Board meeting. “Igniting that ability to really love reading is what those nooks are for.”
“Reading buddies” – little forest-themed stuffies – are available for students to read aloud to, helping them develop confidence in reading and reducing anxiety.
A library classroom provides a place for learning to happen outside the traditional setting, and includes tables with dry erase tops on which students can annotate, draw pics of characters, and write notes.
STEM materials available at the new and improved library include games, crayon carousels, coloring pages that connect to library text, and activities that promote fine motor skills development and curriculum connection.
The entire renovation, which took place over the summer, cost $37,700, with $27,100 covered via grant funding. Specifically, $24,800 – which represents two years of carryover money from federal funding – was used to have custom bookshelves made. Another $2,300 that was part of COVID relief funding and due to expire was used to purchase STEM supplies.
The remaining $10,500 was covered by district funds that were budgeted for tool rental, sheetrock, paint, carpeting, flooring, seating hardware, and other supplies.
The labor was provided free by building staff.
“This project was done completely in-house by our department of facilities, and I really want to emphasis that,” said Santabarbara. “They do beautiful, tremendous work.”
She said the library has been dedicated to Kershaw to celebrate his legacy of encouraging a space that promotes a love of reading.
During the December school board meeting, Santabarbara read aloud comments from district staff, parents, educators, and other advocates, applauding Kershaw’s efforts. He and his family were in attendance to hear them.
“Larry was not just a fixture in the school, he was a bright light that illuminated the lives of everyone he met,” read Santabarbara.
Many say his devotion to the students is unmatched, calling him a mentor and role model, and even recalling a time he raised and lowered more than 100 desks to accommodate the height and size of individual students.
“The kids here loved him and respected him,” continued Santabarbara. “He was persistent in advocating for a much-needed makeover of our library, and today, thanks to Larry’s efforts, we now have a building space where students can learn, explore, and grow. His dedication to improving the environment for our children is something that will be felt for many years to come.”
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