FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — It’s a happy day in the Waynesboro Area School District and students at Mowery Elementary had a few things to say after seeing the changes made to their school library.
“We’re all glad that we won getting the new furniture and all that,” said fourth grader Ella Davis.
“It’s a whole new library,” added third grader Lillian Briegel.
It was an emotional unveiling for librarian Jennifer Smith.
“One of them goes, ‘This is for us.’ It was just the cherry,” Smith said.
The library got a makeover after winning the second annual learning space design competition presented by KI Furniture.
“It’s just we were not expecting to win this,” said fourth grader Nolan Ol’Leary.
More than 12,000 people voted for Smith’s library to get new furniture, including raised desks and stools to help students release their energy.
The library also has café style chairs.
Another new addition is blocks. It might look like they’re used for a big puzzle game, but they serve a greater purpose.
“Our autistic kids need things to be moveable and flexible for their type of learning so they can take our puzzle blocks and move them to be comfortable in their environment,” Smith described.
The library was designed with different "zones" to support students with different learning styles and is valued at $40,000.
Smith estimated the last time the library had received new furniture in more than 30 years ago.
The library retained its original bookshelves.
“I was like, 'Wow it’s way different than when I was here at the beginning of the year,'” said fourth grader Mia Beckner.
“It looks so pretty and good in this big library,” said fifth-grader Colty Haltenan.
What’s the lesson Smith wants her students to remember most of all?
“Even though we’re in a small, rural area, you can dream big and change your environment for your students for the better.”
Mowrey Elementary serves 550 students largely coming from low-income households.