Building a library in 2009!

It seems like people ask me what I do quite a bit, and when I tell them I don't think they really get it. I am a librarian (media specialist is my official title) and I am working towards a library science endorsement (one class away). This was a big step for me; a year off from teaching and then on to a new career/job. After a few months in this position I kept asking myself why I had never thought about becoming a librarian when I was getting my BA. Quite shocking since I have always loved books and libraries.

Recently I did something new as a media specialist that I have never done before, and it was quite rewarding. I got to go back to New Stuyahok (where I taught for seven years) and spend four days putting their gorgeous (that's right I said gorgeous) new library together. They had a new school built in the last year and it is finally almost ready for teachers and students to move into.

I spent about $90,000 on a new collection that included fiction and nonfiction books for students in grades Kindergarten to twelfth grade. We also integrated about 50+ boxes of books from the collection that was in the old school.

Ever wonder how many boxes this would be? Try about 200! But I didn't do this alone, I would still be there if I had tried! I had the help of our tech guys moving boxes and furniture, our curriculum specialist and also the state library coordinator came out from Anchorage to help coordinate the effort. Wow, what a job! A big, big thank you to all who helped. This was such a rewarding experience!

Before.......

During.....
AFTER!

If we look tired it is because we were exhausted!