My Library - The Before & After (FINALLY!)

I still have a few minor things to finish up in my library, but the big stuff is done.
THANK GOODNESS.  Now I have to work on my beginning of the year lesson plans, a sub binder, and some book processing.

In the meantime, though, I wanted to share the transformation.  And I apologize in advance for the picture overload today.

* * * * *

You may remember what it looked like before.  Here was the circulation desk:

Boxes of books everywhere (that actually still need to be sorted) and piles, piles, and more piles.

Here it is once the clean out process has begun.

More piles.

This next picture gives me the heebie-jeebies.  How can anyone work in a space that looks like this?  It makes my skin crawl!

One of the many garbage piles.  The custodians hate me already.

One corner behind the circulation desk.

Next up was the storage room.  This was definitely an "enter at your own risk" situation.

Surprise - more piles.  And an old computer.

Printers that don't work and cassette tapes from whenever cassette tapes were popular.

Old, stinky tapestries, holiday decorations, and SpongeBob.  And somewhat of a path to get to the back of the room.

The back of the room.  Lots of random crap... most of which went in the garbage!

And then there was my office.  It was left in shambles, so it took a very long time to organize it all. Let's just say it involved a lot of Lysol.  And coffee.

Getting through the mounds of "stuff" in all these areas took a LONG time, but the AFTER pictures make me so happy!

Here's the view from behind the circulation desk now.

The library itself is a big open space (two stories tall) because it used to be a gym, so we have great skylights and a real tree in the middle of everything.  Apparently it's not doing well, and those of you who know me know I do NOT have a green thumb, so I'll be asking my father-in-law for some advice to revive it. I've killed too many plants in my lifetime. (In my house, if it doesn't make noise, it doesn't get fed.  I'm not proud of that, but it's the truth.)

The boxes of books are still in a pile, but the rest of the circulation desk is cleaned and cleared!

 The "learning" area.

My office.

Notice the Batman seat cover... aka my son's pool towel.  I couldn't get anything else to fit!  Plus, I figured this would be easier to take home and wash when needed.  Also notice more coffee.

My organized bookshelf!

I still have to get this whiteboard mounted, but it's usable for now.  The bookshelf below it houses monthly book units, seasonal books, etc.

I organized it by month and season with labels.  Nothing super fancy, but it'll work.

 

My file cabinet!  Woo hoo!  Folders and labels make my heart flutter.  (I know.  I'm weird.)

One last look.  

To reward myself for all the work I've been doing, I decided to treat myself to a pedicure.  Ryan Gosling also thought it was a good idea.

(source)

However, Mr. Gosling needs a mini-lesson in his use of adverbs vs. adjectives.  In this case, it should be "every day," not "everyday."

By the way, if you've ever wanted to see how unflattering your legs and feet can look, take a picture mid-pedicure.  Exhibit A.

Told you it was a picture overload today.  And while I'm at it, here's my dog.  He makes me happy.  I mean, look at those big paws!

And those eyes.  He's my baby.

Hope your Wednesday is wonderful!  Thanks for stopping by!