By Lori Bornn
The topic I would propose
is creating artwork for the library that illustrates titles from various
genres within the school library collection. The artwork would be
created by students within the school and posted on the walls to add
visual appeal and to make the library more interesting. I recall my
own high school library as being very visually bland and would have
found this a creative outlet. Additionally, I would have felt that
I really had input into the library; that the library was representative
of me as a user. The boys [I interviewed] expressed interest in this
type of activity and they are not alone in that interest (Wigg 107;
Wilson and Kimzey 35).
Students would create
art, using materials provided by the library or school, based upon
readings that are interesting to them. That would serve to generate
a range of ideas and a various art works encompassing science fiction,
romance, how-to books, biographies, mysteries - the possibilities
are unlimited. To generate enthusiasm for the possibilities, I would
also suggest creating displays related to various art mediums that
would be used to create the art work: marker, pencil, collage, paint,
cartoon, photography, etc. including the tools of the medium, an example
of the medium, and the location of related information within the
collection. (American Library Association 17; Byczek and Vaillancourt
106; Donelson and Nilsen 305; Wilson and Kimzey 22-23).
As far as time commitments
- this activity would require, or at least be enhanced by, preliminary
discussion with the school art teacher(s) to solicit their suggestions
and/or help, and an initial organizational meeting with teens. I would
not intend on making this a mandatory activity, but an activity for
interested students to pursue during their study hall period, after-school
time, or even during their home evening hours. I would propose a sign-up
sheet for students interested in using a study hall time or after-school
time to ensure ample work space and materials. I view this as an ongoing
activity over the course of a month so that the enthusiasm for the
activity does not wane, and so that students can see fairly quick
results of their efforts as the art is displayed in the library. I
would also consider creating a "steering committee" of interested
teens to coordinate art, display art, enlist their peers, to publicize
the changes occurring in the library - to handle some of the administrative
tasks.
The materials needed
would be poster boards or high quality paper; the supplies to create
the art: markers, pencils, paints, glue, etc.; the supplies and examples
for the art medium displays; and of course, the library collection.
Materials will be supplied by the school - perhaps the art teacher
would be willing to assist with supplies or at least know of businesses
offering discounts to schools for supplies. It would also be helpful
to solicit art students within the school to assist with the displays,
perhaps showcasing some of their own work in the various mediums.
Work space also needs to be considered. The library can be the workspace,
though some of the "messier" art mediums (such as paint)
may need to have a work space created away from the books, in a separate
section of the library, or in an art classroom.
At the conclusion of
the activity, I publicity would be needed, designed with the help
of the students, such as an announcement to be read in classrooms,
posters or banners to be displayed, an article for the school newspaper,
or even a yearbook photograph (Wilson and Kimzey 31). The goal of
the publicity would be to entice students to come to the library to
take a look at the work of their friends and to "discover"
the library. To acknowledge the efforts of all students contributing
time and effort, I would conduct an informal after-school reception
(with food!) to highlight the "official opening". Faculty
and students would also be invited to share in the students' accomplishments.
To evaluate the success
of the activity I would refer back to objectives created with the
teens during initial conversations. Criteria for success may be that
art was created and the library visually enhanced; students participated
in the activity; students came to the library to view the art; and
books represented by the artwork experienced greater circulation.
I would also propose the creation of a survey to get feedback on the
display from students, including any ideas for make the activity better
or to solicit ideas for future activities.
The overall goal is to
give the students a reason to come to the library. "If young
adults don't have a reason to come to the library, if they don't find
that their needs are met, then they won't come - and we may have lost
them forever." (Nord 346). This is a place to start.
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