With these funds I will... create a cozy, inviting environment for students to relax and read books in their brand-new library. 

In an era where school library programs are underfunded, if not cut all together, my school has chosen to invest in the future with a brand-new library media center. Most of our funding has gone towards the nuts and bolts of building our library: durable furniture and books. Now that students are using the space regularly, they are begging for comfortable seating, pillows, and the opportunity to make the library space reflect their personalities and interests. 

In particular, my middle school elective class, Library on Fleek, has been charged with taking our library space from "weak" to "fleek." Our class has brainstormed ideas for how to improve the space and make it more hospitable. My "Recess Readers," a self-selected group of 7th graders, haven't made a peep about the discomfort of sprawling on the floor as they read, but I know they'd appreciate some pillows and rugs. And the rest of my K-8 school would make good use of the space during browsing and independent reading time, too.

According to Library on Fleek's research, the items we need most are:

• Comfortable chairs (approximately $100)
• Beanbag chairs (approximately $150)
• Floor pillows (approximately $75)
• A rug (approximately $75)
• End tables (approximately $20)
• Lamps with muted lighting (approximately $30)
• Brightly colored posters and decor (approximately $50)
• Chalkboard paint and markers to put their personal touch on some large metal pillars that dominate the room ($30)

We are still working on our specific shopping list, but my elective class is angling for a field trip to IKEA Plymouth Meeting at the end of the trimester so they can select the items themselves! The rest would be obtained from Amazon.com.

Please help us fund our efforts to put personal, cozy touches into our library space. We are a community of readers, and my students deserve a place that beckons them to sink into a comfortable chair, snap on a lamp, and soak up a great book. 

Back Up Plan