The Palo Alto High School library will receive new furniture this Monday and Tuesday, impeding students’ access to computers for those two days.
This new furniture was donated by the same private donator who donated other new library furniture earlier this year, according to librarian Rachel Kellerman.
Kellerman said the library will receive new computer tables and chairs that are similar in style to those found in the Media Arts Center as part of the ongoing process of refurbishing the Paly campus.
“The existing tables were scavenged by me from the district warehouse eight years ago, as there was no budget for computer furniture,” Kellerman said. “It’s well past time for our students to have computer furniture that functions well, is flexible and looks nice.”
Like the furniture in the MAC, the new furniture will be able to adjust to different heights. Kellerman added that the library will also be getting a charging station for phones and more comfortable chairs.
“All of this furniture will be able to move into the new library once it is remodeled,” Kellerman said. “The library remodel will be begin once the gym complex is finished.”
As the furniture is coming in during the school week, library computers will be unavailable this coming Monday and Tuesday, according to Kellerman. The library will have a computer cart instead, and students can use Computer Lab 1 and 2 to print.
“The Monday and Tuesday before a holiday tend to have fewer students at school, so we thought this would be a good time to install the new furniture before the rush of final projects and finals are upon us,” Kellerman said.
The new furniture in the library is part of the school’s gradual shift towards more collaborative, ergonomic furniture. The English Department will also receive new furniture soon, according to English Instructional Supervisor Shirley Tokheim.
“A generous donor has purchased all new modern furniture for every English Department classroom,” Tokheim said. “The new furniture will support the collaborative nature of our teaching, so forming groups with other students will be easier and more efficient.”
Senior Carol Hung said she thinks the new furniture may make the library more of a hub for students.
“I think the MAC is a lot more inviting [due to the new furniture],” Hung said. “So if the library gets the newer furniture, people may be more motivated to go the library and study.”