New Address

We have switched from our old PO Box - Please make note of the new address!:

Library Build, Inc
PO Box 42096
3000 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

So whats going on now?

That's the question I keep getting about Library Build. So here we go:

- I am madly working on grant applications. This is what I focus on almost exclusively right now. No comment on my level of enjoyment of this task.

- I have been emailing with my teacher contact at Rowen School. School is starting next week so they are a little crazy, but once things settle down, I will be going to the school more often to work in the library. Which means, I will be measuring the floors, looking through what has been stored there to either get rid of it or move it to somewhere else in the school, etc.

- I am planning a MLK Day of Service in January at the library. Of course, this requires a lot of agreements, etc, but I'm really hopeful that we can get volunteers to the library to paint, go through books, etc.

- Whole Foods Callowhill is planning a book drive with Library Build to begin in a few weeks, so I am putting together some marketing things, doing a few write-ups, etc.

- I have plans in the works to visit Lowes, Home Depot, and local hardware stores to beg for discounts or free supplies to renovate the library with. I was going to apply for an actual grant from Home Depot, however, they require anyone who applies for a grant to have been 501(c)3 for two years or more. Two years!

- Yesterday I met with AmeriCorps VISTA, and am in works to apply for Library Build to receive a VISTA member next year (to focus on development of Library Fellows). This makes it absolutely imperative that I get somewhere with my grant applications because we so very desperately need office space.

- There are some other minor items that I am working on, but I think this fairly sums up what I am focused on for the next few weeks or so.

Any questions, thoughts, ideas, let me know.

Library Impact Studies

I took some time this weekend to read "School Library Impact Studies Project" - a project of the library science program at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.
Their project was a compilation of all the other studies that have come out about the importance of school libraries, school librarians, technology, etc. But it was good to see it all in one place. Here's a general run-down of points we should all know:

1. "The most universal finding is the presence of full-time, certified school librarians and appropriate support staff who implement a quality, school-integrated program of library services."

2. Despite differing levels of poverty of students tested, a full-time librarian and library increased test scores across the board.

3. Test scores often increase in correlation with increases in library hours.

4. A librarian at a school "was the single strongest predictor of reading enjoyment for both grades 3 and 6 students."

5. Test scores especially rise when teachers and librarians collaborate together on lessons.

6. "Schools with newer collections in their libraries had higher test scores."




(All information and quotes came from "School Library Impact Studies Project," Kachel, et al. 2011. http://library.mansfield.edu/impact.asp)

Updated Website

Our website, www.librarybuild.org, has been updated with new information and pictures about Rowen Elementary. Check it out!

Introducing Rowen Elementary

- Location: North Philadelphia, a little west of Broad Street
- Numbers: about 470 students
- Grades: K - 5
- Academics: Rowen has made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress, the national standard for improving schools) the last two academic years!
- Breakdown: 95% are African American, 2.6% are white, and 1.5% are Latino (the rest are "other")
- Special Education: 11.8% of students are in some form of special education
- Economics: 82.8% of the students at Rowen are "economically disadvantaged" (according to School District standards), and 17.2% are "other". The entire school is Title 1.

We have a school!

Today was a great day for Library Build. First, Library Build is one of Whole Foods Callowhill's Nickels for Nonprofits, which means customers can donate their bag refunds to Library Build! So bring in your bags when you go shopping! I went in today and did a short little interview about Library Build. Not so sure that I will win for any prizes for interviewing or speech-giving skills, but at least word will get out :) We are also making plans to do a book drive for Library Build at Whole Foods - amazing! Keep an eye out, we hope to get it started soon!

Second, and the best news ever. We officially have a school! William Rowen Elementary School in NW Philadelphia. I have been working with them for about a year now, but because of different issues, its been hard to pin down any sort of agreement. Well, I met the new principal today, and we are going for it. The new principal is ready to make a change for the better for his new students, and is very excited to be working with us!

First picture of Rowen's library. 

I will put together a summary/profile of Rowen for another blog post, so for now let me just discuss the library itself. As you can see from the picture above - they have a library!!! However, it is old, musty (very musty!), the furniture is old/broken, and the books themselves are all yellow with age. Most of the books are about 10 to 25 years old. They have a set of encyclopedias that are from 1986. Obviously they aren't useful!!

The library itself is fairly small, but at least its not cluttered!

The great thing about this library is that we will be able to go through the existing collection to see what is salvageable, giving Library Build a good head start.
The other awesome fact about Rowen School is that they have an amazing collection of Mac computers that were donated only a few years ago, so all of our money can go to books, kindles, nooks, and renovations!

The librarian's (eventual) corner

I will post more pictures with the profile of the school, so keep an eye out! Some great things are happening for Library Build, and for Rowen!