STC students build school library as class project

WESLACO — Students at Mid-Valley Christian School will notice something different when they go back to class in August.

Located in rear of the campus near the school lounge will be a new library, currently being renovated by South Texas College students in Colleen Edgar's Rhetoric English summer class. Edgar said the students from the college's Pecan Campus in McAllen began the project during the first summer session, while her second summer session students will finish the work by July 26. Along with students, Edgar said some colleagues also contribute on a weekly basis.

When Edgar first walked into the 18-by-22 room, the English teach recalled how dusty and dirty it was.

 
"I thought it was a shame," Edgar said. "It was sort of like a junk room."

But with the help of a number of students skilled in carpentry and paintwork, the room is in the midst of a transformation, Edgar said.

So far, they've painted the walls, installed shelves and tables, put new lights on the ceiling and are in the process of hanging a ceiling fan.

When the project is complete, the library will include a computer card catalog, listening station. For décor, student artists plan to paint the entire room blue, complete with swimming fish and a scuba diver to represent the theme - dive into reading.

Mid-Valley Christian School Principal Nancy Mullins said she can't wait to see how the new library will look and is thrilled with the dedication STC students and teachers have shown in constructing the library.

"It's really great. I think it's important because little kids look up to the big kids," Mullins said. "I think it will inspire the little kids to volunteer when they grow up."

Volunteering for this project was part of Edgar's class requirement. The students are responsible for writing a daily journal reflecting the day's work on the project in an effort to help them learn the emotional side of writing, Edgar said.

Students Bianca Garza and Sophia Lozano both recall their elementary school libraries fondly and hope to make the Mid-Valley Christian School library a memorable place for its students.

"In my elementary school, we had a huge library," Garza said. "That's what we're doing, so they could want to be there."

Before Edgar's project, the school had no real system to for students to read or check out books, school officials said. Instead, teachers would dedicate an area for library books in their classrooms.

Mid-Valley Christian School is a non-profit that operates on funds from student tuition and parental donations. Edgar said the school has paid $1,000 for work on the new library, but said she hopes STC will match the funding.

"Giving back is important," Edgar said. "We made a big push on it a year ago. We were like, ‘We can talk, but let's do it.'"