Out in the open

Last year, walking into the Upper Library of Naperville North felt like walking into any other school computer lab. Now, the once-pulsating heart of the school is often a ghost town. It’s also an opportunity.

Due to the Digital Learning Initiative (DLI), which provides each student with their own Chromebook, there is little need for designated computer labs.

NNHS Principal Stephanie Posey said plans for major changes to this space are in the beginning stages.

“What we will be looking at is moving from…an old fashioned library setting to what are the most innovative and newest practices for libraries,” Posey said.

With any District 203 remodeling or interior design projects, the principal has full responsibility. The Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) allocates a budget to a school and the principal decides how to handle said budget with their staff and other members of the community, according to FAC Board Member Mike Jaensch.

According to Posey, students are the “key stakeholders” for this project, which is why she recently began the process of reaching out to students through Student Government. The North Star was heartened to hear of this outreach, but we believe this is only a first step. Students should be a major voice in the redesign of this precious, limited space. And it’s not just the principal, but the students who need to make sure the voice of the students is heard.

At NNHS, it is vital that whatever is chosen for the open space is a service to the students, Posey said. Posey has suggested numerous ideas to assist students. Already, she has visited different schools who have gone through similar changes with open spaces such as NNHS’ Upper Library. Other groups Posey has spoken to include: learning research center directors, NNHS’ technical staff and various teachers.

Some ideas from adults call for a technical center, or a testing center, but many students believe what they really need is quiet place to study and recharge. The North Star believes any plan, when it’s finalized, should include this because this is the number one need of our stressed-out student body.

Chief Academic Officer of District 203 Dr. Jennifer Hester Schalk said there are several ways students and staff can get involved.

With each collaboration, new ideas surface from countless areas. For faculty and staff, there are several options for receiving their contribution such as: the teacher’s union, staff focus groups and committees. As for students, Hester Schalk said surveys and committees are often effective for situations like this.

Although students have these mechanisms for input, none of them are currently being utilized. We hope the administration will continue to talk to students about their needs as students.

There is a divide between what students want from the space and what adults imagine the space will end up being.

Because of the Digital Learning Initiative (DLI), many staff members tend to favor technological advancements, Hester Schalk said.

“Technology plays a big role in how space can be used. With databases, you can consume information in different spaces and collaborate with other students to create work,” Hester Schalk said.

Posey also mentioned the same collaborative databases idea.

With many ideas from school and district officials, students are beginning to form different ideas for the space.

NNHS Student Government President Nikita Vijayakumar thinks the space should be a safe haven from the regular school day.

“I know they want it to be as technological as possible, but I feel like it should be a relaxed environment,” Vijayakumar said.

Vijayakumar is not the only student concentrated towards this idea.

Junior Allie Phillips said she would simply enjoy a place where she can eat her lunch and work on assignments with friends.

Sophomore Kayla Barczi said a library with bean bags would be perfect.

It seems that student interest undoubtedly leans towards an easy-going atmosphere. Administrators have every right to reject something that would amount to a do-nothing zone, but a space for relaxed, quiet study would help both the community and the test scores of NNHS in the long run.

Not only is a relaxed environment what many students want, but it may yield its own benefits in preparing students for the future, American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Leslie Preddy said.

“Research continues to tell us that what corporations want [in employees] is collaboration,” Preddy said. “A school library is a prime place for learning how to work together.”

The definition of a library, Preddy believes, is a constantly changing. It is important that libraries adapt themselves to the needs of students, even if it means extending beyond the strictly educational.

“A safe place to go, for your personal curiosity, reading for pleasure or for a bit of social time. A brain break from a stressful school-day,” Preddy said. “Libraries should adapt to that.”

If the school and district decide to choose the route of technology growth, it will be costly and provide less investment for other projects in different schools in the district. In the wake of the DLI and indeed in our daily lives, we at The North Star believe more technology is the last thing we need.

There is time to listen to the needs of the students. This project will most likely be determined in an estimated 12 months, Posey said.

There is no sign up sheet for students to voice their opinions. So far, according to Vijayakumar, many underclassmen student government representatives have spoken up.

“We’ve had a lot of the lower classmen [providing their opinion] because as seniors, we won’t be here [when it happens].”

It is a student’s responsibility to search for ways of input, like talking to student government officials or creating student-led focus groups. But, without motivation and drive, it is nearly impossible for an individual high schooler to be heard. So stand up and find support.

“We as the students are the people using the space,” Vijayakumar said. “It is our space.”

Written by Marissa Todd and Meghna Israni. Infographic by Will Trubshaw and Naasir Haleem. Readers can anticipate part two of this series in the next month.