Exploring at Blythewood Middle School

Blythewood Middle Librarian, Lorena Swetnam, demonstrates the Explore competency by:

• fostering learners' personal curiosity through the makerspace area and activities
• stimulating learners to construct new knowledge through the makerspace area and activities
• preparing learners to engage with the school community through the makerspace area and activities
• helping learners develop through experience and reflection through the makerspace area and activities

In order to implement these competencies, Mrs. Swetnam keeps her collection (print and digital, fiction and nonfiction, and databases) up to date so students and teachers have resources to conduct their research, has a dedicated makerspace area and makerspace activities within the library, works with teachers to determine curricular needs, and offers space for classes and programs to be able to use the library resources to fit their needs.

The Blythewood Middle makerspace and makerspace activities were the first ones I had a chance to witness in my school visits. The current roller coaster made of legos, Kinect stix, tiles, and other various objects were situated in the library itself where anyone could come in and try it out. Mrs. Swetnam said that it took the students who made it the majority of the 2017-2018 school year, and because they had worked so hard, she did not have the heart to take it down. During lunch, students with passes came in to sit in the makerspace area and do makerspace activities of their choosing. During the school day, other students came in and used a small, almost sound-proof room to create videos for themselves or for class projects. Mrs. Swetnam or Mrs. Bailes (the full-time library assistant) made a point to ask students about their creations, which allowed students time to reflect and question possible assumptions and misconceptions.

As with most libraries and programs, challenges faced include funding, space (that roller coaster takes up a lot of it!), student apathy, and time to fully engage with learners and teachers at the school.

There were no other additions to this interview. Mrs. Swetnam is a dedicated professional who provides premier library services and opportunities for her students and colleagues. I am grateful for being able to observe her library and interview her.