The Library Refresh Project was completed during the summer of 2024 in order to be ready for the upcoming school year. This was an initiative to remodel the library to suit students’ social and academic needs and improve the area for staff meetings. The Tamalpais Union High School District was granted $350,000 from The Redwood Foundation Board to paint the room and fill the modernized space with bookshelves, tables, chairs, couches and charging stations. The library now has private areas intended to allow students and staff to work in privacy while still having large, open spaces to easily facilitate staff meetings, guest visits and collaboration among students in larger groups.
Library Specialist Kathleen Savastano played a key role in planning the modernization project, and was grateful for the foundation’s funds for the library.
“I would be greedy if I asked for anything more [than the money we received]. We’re very lucky to have such a generous foundation,” Savastano said.
Savastano has also received positive feedback from students and other staff members about the library post-renovation. Once the new school year started, she was thrilled to see people excited about the new look.
“[Students] really love it. Their faces lit up when they came in to see the new library,” Savastano said.
With the changes, Savastano finds the space has areas to suit everyone. It has been a busy location for students to socialize, work or relax. This ability to work independently or with others was an important factor during the planning process.
“My whole time [at Redwood, the library] has been a very popular hangout. It’s very geared towards the students and they love it,” Savastano said.
Sophomore Jack Boles often spends time in the renovated library, getting ahead on his schoolwork. This school year, he has enjoyed the space more because it promotes group work. Boles appreciates the renovation and all the new facets it provides.
“The arrangement is more optimized for group work, which also benefits people’s groups of friends being able to sit close to each other,” Boles said.
Junior Eden Davis goes to the library when she is overwhelmed with homework or is studying for a stressful test. For Davis, the quiet of the new library promotes focus.
“I definitely enjoy the environment because it’s very calm and relaxing. It’s easy to be productive,” Davis said.
She also enjoys the new furniture because it gives the space a homey feel and makes doing work more comfortable under stress.
“The couches and comfy chairs are the best if you’re doing work on a computer. Also, the big desks are key because being able to spread out all of your books or supplies is really nice,” Davis said.
With the renovations to the library, students feel the new additions enhance the atmosphere and allow the space to continue being a comfortable place to work and socialize. Without a student center, the library serves as a place for students and staff alike to facilitate their work.
“The library is a really important place for students. I’m excited for everyone to be able to enjoy the new space and hope people like it as much as I do,” Boles said.
