Dallas ISD’s Library Media Services department will launch a makeover initiative in 43 campus libraries with the purpose of redesigning the spaces to better serve the current climate in education.
On May 25th, Library Media Services and the Apple Team, Jerram Froese and Josh Mika, finished training 43 librarians and teachers who will begin managing the R.E.A.D. Labs at each the schools. Completion is expected by December 2022.
The libraries’ R.E.A.D Labs will help students develop creative skill sets through “zones” such as video studios, coding stations, and recording booths for podcasting, and inquiry stations. R.E.A.D. Labs will provide a variety of specialized learning zones tailored to campus focus and choice, as well as print, audio, and digital formats to accommodate the learning styles of all the scholars.
The space redesign will replace many free-standing bookshelves in the middle of the library with new modular furniture for collaborative work in the R.E.A.D. zones as well as new carpet, graphical murals, and technology.
“Except for new campuses, libraries have not had a major makeover in the district for over forty years, most having heavy outdated furniture with a lack of flexibility,” said Gay D. White Patrick, director of Dallas ISD Library Media Services. “This makeover is an opportunity to refocus on the goals of education and to address new concepts and designs in the next-generation libraries to better serve the soft skills our students need for success as graduates in today’s world. R.E.A.D. will offer new spaces, new designs, new technology, new horizons and newly trained facilitators of that learning.”
At each of the campuses, a R.E.A.D. lead will manage the R.E.A.D. Lab and interact with the students and campus staff. Their responsibility is to work with teachers and students in the use of the zones, keep the physical library maintained, work with family and community engagement through events, support instruction and collaborative learning experiences with teachers, and create explorative opportunities for students.
Participating schools applied for Project R.E.A.D – which stands for Research, Explore, Application, and Design – and were chosen through an extensive application process last year. The campuses that are part of the first cohort are:
- Adamson HS
- Arthur Kramer ES
- B. Milam ES
- B.H. Macon ES
- Barbara Jordan ES
- Bayles ES
- Carter HS
- Eduardo Mata Montessori
- Eladio R. Martinez ES
- Everette L. DeGolyer ES
- Franklin MS
- Frederick Douglass ES
- Gabe P. Allen ES
- Gilbert Cuellar ES
- Harllee ECC
- Hillcrest HS
- Holland ES
- IDEA HS
- Ignite MS
- John J. Pershing ES
- L. K. Hall ES
- L.L. Hotchkiss ES
- L.O. Donald ES
- Lakewood ES
- Leila P. Cowart ES
- M. Moreno ES
- Marsh MS
- Jesus Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard Academy
- O.W. Holmes MS
- Prestonwood Montessori / ED Walker MS
- S.S. Conner ES
- Sanger Preparatory School ES
- School for the Talented and Gifted at Pleasant Grove STAG
- Seagoville North ES
- Skyline HS
- Spruce HS
- Sylvia Mendez ES
- Tasby MS
- Thomas L. Marsalis ES
- Thomas Tolbert ES
- Townview HS
- Urban Park ES
- William Lipscomb ES
