Thanks to an NEF Teacher Innovation Grant, media specialist LaKeira Watkins gave the library at Livingston Elementary School a dynamic, student-friendly makeover. The grant funded a full lineup of new shelving and display tools including front-facing book bins, tiered tabletop racks, endcap displays, book stands, genre and directional signage, shelf talkers, series and spine labels, and a few literacy mascots for good measure — all aimed at helping the library’s roughly 350 Pre-K through 5th grade students discover more books.
Rolled out over the spring, the new displays have already made the biggest difference in the library’s graphic novel and humor sections, longtime student favorites. With more covers facing out, students can spot beloved titles and new arrivals at a glance, and the more organized layout has made it easier for student helpers to reshelve books correctly.
“It has been a simple change, but it has had a big impact on how students interact with the collection,” Watkins said. Students are stopping to look at books they may have passed over before, finding their favorite series faster, and browsing with newfound independence and confidence.
NEF is proud to help Livingston Elementary give every student a reason to stop, look, and pick up a book. Support more projects like this one — donate today!