Public School 58’s Principal Giselle McGee and Assistant Principal Jayme Perlman will welcome local officials, parents, students and staff to a celebration for the much-anticipated opening of the newly renovated PS 58 Library, 330 Smith Street, October 14 at 9 a.m.
The library was designed by David Briggs, AIA LEED AP, a PS 58 parent, and the principal of loci architecture pc. It has been skillfully transformed into an inviting and exciting environment in which students can explore and learn.
The library — which had not been seriously updated since the school opened in 1957 — is the result of collaboration among public officials, parents, school staff and Department of Education personnel. Funds for the renovation were obtained through generous grants from city Councilman Bill de Blasio and State Assemblywoman Joan Millman. Parents played an important role in the planning of and fundraising for the new library. Department of Education personnel and the School Construction Authority worked closely with McGee and Briggs on the project.
Librarian Maureen Vadala now has an inventory of 6,000 new books, which will soon be added to a new, state of the art electronic catalog system. Students will also have access to five new computers. A Smart Board is available for teachers to use to enhance lessons.
Work has begun on two murals, designed by PS 58 parent artists Derek Stenborg and Stephen Gaffney. Even the new floor commands attention; it is a representation of the solar system created in colorful natural linoleum, a “green” material.
The library will also be a gathering place when published authors visit the school. Upcoming author visits this year include Avi, Julian Hector, Jean Marzollo and Kate McMullen.
