Shifts

Shifting books is difficult for me. It's not visualizing where the things could go, so much, as to separating the books from their former shelfmates. Oh, I'm sorry for sticking you in the corner, Ramona, but there's got to be changes when a shift is made.

This is also probably pretty hard on the kids, at times. Last year, I didn't shift a lot because, honestly, there wasn't any room to. Now that we have much more wiggle room, I want to make sure the shelves are even dispersed, that nothing is being wasted, and that everything is lookin' fabulous.

Easier said than done.

I'm a little slow at the moment, so my spatial analysis is a bit on the wonky side. Every shelf I move, it looks a bit better. Then I make it back to the A section. Eh, still a tad bit on the crowded side. As a matter of fact, it looks like I'll have to shift maybe twice more today. Why? Because I'm being anal about shelves. That's really all.

The nesting phase that I'm going through in my personal life must be taking root in my work life. I have been perusing Pinterest for decorating ideas not only in my home, but in the library. Now that we have golden (yes, GOLDEN!) walls in our Lower School Learning Commons, I feel like we (or I) can sneak in little cute things here and there. I have a keen interest in Washi tape right now that needs to be satisfied.

Wouldn't that look cute on the edge of a bookcase? Lining the creative works of such creative people with creative-looking lines in a creative atmosphere?

Maybe I'm alone on this. Or maybe I'm with everyone on Pinterest, who are not in the real world, but some ideological land where people live right next to Ikea, Home Depot, and Hobby Lobby, where Craig's List has more nice stuff than normal and the people are not super sketch.

I digress.

I just want the library space, as well as the program itself, to help reflect the child-like nature of, well, a children's area in a library and school. It should reflect the nature of the people who work there, but more importantly, the clientele in which it serves. Shifting books is obviously the easiest choice for change in appearance, convenience, and atmosphere.

With little steps, I'm hoping that I can help the library keep its warm, inviting atmosphere, while bringing a little bit of spunk into it. We've already started with our new space, then the wall, pictures of students, signage, and stuffed toys. This is only the beginning.

You have been warned.