by Karen Blair, Armour Elementary School & Christina Stoll, MLS

The Heart of America Foundation’s (http://www.heartofamerica.org) “programs focus on literacy and community service, utilizing a series of connected programs to accomplish our mission: to teach the values at the heart of America and to teach people, particularly children, that they help themselves when they help others. We identify and reward inspirational young people and adults, and we send them into schools across the country - public, private, rural and inner-city - to inspire others to emulate their good work and commit to public service.”

In 2008, Heart of America partnered with Target in their Volunteer Library Makeover Projects, providing the paint, new furniture, carpeting, and new library books for libraries across the country.
The Target Volunteers Library Project (http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031766) supports “local schools by donating books and volunteering to help with school library makeovers. These makeovers utilize the design and construction expertise of the Target Property Development team. In 2008, more than 500 Target stores took part in the program. In 2009, every Target store in 49 states will participate.”
 
One of the libraries selected for a makeover was the MLS School Library member Philip D. Armour Elementary School (http://www.armour.cps.k12.il.us). Library Media Specialist Karen Blair, who has worked at Armour for 14 years, shares the experience of being selected for the project and its impact on the school and the library.

Profile on Philip D. Armour Elementary School

The two schools served by Armour Elementary support over 360 students Pre-K through 8th grade.  The school buildings reside in a campus park in the Bridgeport neighborhood, a high poverty multi-ethnic community. The school focuses on helping its students become functioning citizens in a global society, by balancing education with cultural experiences. Other opportunities that the school has participated with include a Joffrey Ballet dance program and a partnership with the Boy’s and Girl's Club of Chicago.  Students have several clubs to get involved with such as Student Council, Science Club, Drama Club, Dance Club, and several Reading Clubs.  

The entire school’s faculty, staff, and student body focuses its efforts on improving the schools learning environment.  Up from the 30th percentile in Reading and Math just a few years ago, the students are now in the 60's and climbing. 

Karen oversees both school libraries. The school’s main building serves grades 4-8, while its branch building serves grades K-4. Within both buildings, the collections hold close to 4,000 books, half of which was provided by Target.  At the branch library Karen’s focuses her time “instilling a love of reading in the students, and creating an environment conducive to reading and research.”  

Since her collection is not yet automated, she assists students with finding books by educating them about the classification system.  Using the library’s three computers she schedules students for 20 minute sessions. Given the library’s small size, seating is limited, so she groups the students with half working on projects or checking out materials, and the other half participates in story-time.

In the main building, the library is combined with a computer lab, Karen’s ideal dream for a school library. The students are given formal computer training, conduct research using both books and Internet resources, and have a flexible schedule for checking out books.  When their school work is completed for the day she encourages students to relax with a book.  The library provides a quite relaxed environment which the students love.

Getting Involved in the Target Volunteers Library Project

Karen first learned about the Heart of America Foundation’s Target Volunteers Library Project through another group Chicago Cares with whom she has partnered with in the past.  She applied and her library was selected as a finalist, which then involved being interviewed by a group of executives from the companies involved in the makeover. Together with the school’s principal Shelley Cordova, and assistant principal Jane Sims, they put in an impassioned plea, and then let their old, dilapidated library rooms do the rest.

They were ultimately chosen as of the library’s receiving a makeover, with the remodeling starting in July 2008 and completion September 8, 2008.

In the branch building, the library was moved to a brighter, cheerier room, which was then plastered, painted, carpeted, and given new shelves and furniture.

The remodel of the library in the school’s main building was more extensive.  Walls were removed to combine two rooms to accommodate a computer lab and library.  Painting, carpeting, plastering, new furniture, new electrical connections, and a mural painted by Cecelia Washington, a renowned Disney artist, completed the project.  

Pictures of the remodeling project can be found on the Heart of America’s web site at http://www.heartofamerica.org/READesign_Chicago.htm.

Karen says that both libraries still take her breath away.  They have become the focal point of the school. Most meetings are now held in the main library and the students are so comfortable in their new environment she has a difficult time getting the students to leave.   Karen feels that students are reading more and she senses a new found pride and ownership over the school and the library.  Students are especially careful not to leave trash and she has yet to find any graffiti.

Want to have your library made over?

Karen provides tips to other libraries interested in applying for the Target Volunteers Library Project.  She says start by assessing your space.  The Target / Heart of America team only does a few schools in the country in a year. If your library only needs a facelift, you probably won't qualify.  Once you do apply, make sure you are able to convey your needs clearly.  Use pictures and make it clear that you and your principal and other key staff will be committed to the project.

Visit the Heart of America Foundation’s web site at http://www.heartofamerica.org/READesign.htm to download an application and contact information.

Karen remarks that she used to be one of those skeptics when it came to corporate giving, doubting the signs she saw posted in Target stores claiming they helped the community.  This project has changed her thinking.  “Not only did [Target] provide most of the funding for this project, but they are continually providing volunteers to help out at the school.  I am incredibly touched by all Target has done for us and can't sing their praises loudly enough!  I am now their biggest fan!”

Questions about this article or the Armour Elementary School contact Karen Blair at kablair@yahoo.com.

The re-modeled library at the main building, doubled in size for the addition of a computer lab being used by students.

One of the Cecelia Washington murals, and a group of students in the branch buliding's library along with librarian Karen Blair and school principal Shelley Cordova.

Published April 1, 2009 in vol. 3, iss. 7 [View]