Redesign of a catholic school library.

1. St. Mary of the Purification
Montessori School
Library Revitalization
by Nikki G.
Xtraordinary by Design

2. Entering the Library – The Office Space Before
The office space was tight and cluttered. The librarian did not really
have space to actually work.

3. The Office Space - After
I removed 2 unnecessary desks and positioned the 2 remaining
(matching) desks beneath the large picture windows with 1 large work
surface (not shown) separating the 2.

4. Entering the Main Library Space - Before
It’s a functional space, just not very inviting. And even though the
walls are white, it seems very dark.

5. The Main Library Space - After
With colorful walls and chairs, and new lighter colored bookshelves, the
space is more fun and inviting. It’s also brighter, even at night.

6. A Closer Look

7. There ARE Bathrooms Inside
THESE
THESE
BATHROOMS are
BATHROOMS are
somewhere over
somewhere over
“there”…
“there”…

8. The bathrooms are hidden behind those tall bookcases and the laminator.

9. The bookcases are gone, and the laminator was relocated.

10. The Bathrooms! Now you see them!

11. With Signage and All!

13. Entering the Library - Before
Looking through to the preschoolers area in the back. You cannot see all
the light streaming in (or any kids that may venture back there) because of
the large wooden shelving.

14. Entering the Library - After
Now when you look through to the back wall, you see the big picture
windows AND the librarian and teachers can actually see any preschoolers
that may be lurking back there.

15. The Preschoolers Area - Before
Again, it’s functional but not FUNctional. There’s no seating but the
there are rugs that are used for the kids to sit on.

16. The Preschoolers Area - After
The shelves are deeper and house more books, enabling us to take down the
large obstructive shelves separating the area. Added seating, comfy pillows and
interlocking floor mats (not shown) make space for up to 24 preschoolers.

17. Inside the Preschoolers Area - Before

18. Inside the Preschoolers Area - After
Just tidying up a bit, getting ready for visitors.

19. Inside the Preschoolers Area - After

20. The kids love it, but notice…. these are NOT preschoolers!

21. Another view of the preschoolers area
There were still more imposing bookshelves flanking the window.

22. After selecting new steel shelves with more capacity, the old ones
were no longer needed. To fit with the animal kingdom/jungle
theme, palms were brought in to flank the windows instead.

23. Yes, that IS a stage!

24. The New Platform Stage
Getting a stage was a special request from the PTO president. This
one was custom made to fit the space, and hand drawn and painted.

25. The View from the Preschool Area

26. Inside Looking Out - Before

27. Inside Looking Out - After

29. Who Doesn’t Love Dr. Suess?!

30. This project was made possible by…
There were countless volunteers who helped with the labor in the library.
THESE are the ladies who made it all happen(L-R): Mazie McCoy (Principal, St.
Mary’s Montessori School), Kim Broughton (PTO President), Nikki Green
(Owner/Designer, Xtraordinary by Design), Dionne Cooper (PTO Vice-President).