Read and Roam

Bringing the Library Outdoors

Beach Elementary School – McHugh Library

Prepared by Meghan Bennett, MLIS Student

IST 613: Partner Library Project

September 2025

Welcome!

This page introduces the Read & Roam proposal—a way to extend literacy across Beach Elementary’s campus. The goal is to connect reading with student life in outdoor and common spaces. This site provides an overview, recommendations, outcomes, and next steps.

Why Read & Roam?

Inspired by StoryWalks® in parks and libraries
Expands literacy beyond limited library hours
Meets kids where they are: garden, playground, basketball courts, lunch area
Encourages family engagement and outdoor learning

Child pretend to be businessman. Child playing at home. Imagination, idea and start up con

Goals & Alignment

Students: Build joy and motivation for reading
Families: Create shared reading opportunities outside library walls
Community: Position library as continually innovative, inclusive, and accessible
Alignment: Supports PUSD priorities of equity, engagement, and family connection

Examples of Read and Roam Displays

🌱 Garden: Books on Plants & Gardening
In the school garden, laminated pages or covers from picture books and nonfiction texts about plants, gardening, and ecosystems could be displayed. Students might connect what they read to what they see growing around them — like vegetables, flowers, or compost bins. This reinforces science concepts while encouraging curiosity about nature and healthy living.

🏀 Basketball Court: Biographies of Athletes
Near the basketball hoops, the display could feature biographies of athletes such as Stephen Curry or Serena Williams. Students can draw inspiration from real stories of perseverance, teamwork, and leadership, while connecting reading with the sports and activities they already love during recess or PE.

🥗 Lunch Area: Books on Food & Cultures
By the cafeteria or lunch tables, pages from books about food traditions, cooking, and global cultures could be shown. This encourages students to think about where their food comes from, how meals connect to family and identity, and the diversity of food practices worldwide. It can spark lunchtime conversations and tie into social studies or cultural awareness.

♻️ Recycling Stations: Books on Environment & Sustainability
At recycling or trash collection points, displays could highlight books about the environment, conservation, and reducing waste. Students can see reading tied directly to their daily actions, reinforcing responsibility and environmental awareness. Pairing stories with recycling habits makes literacy a tool for building both knowledge and community stewardship.

👉 Each location becomes a micro-learning station where students encounter books in a way that feels natural, playful, and connected to their lives — turning everyday spaces into literacy-rich environments.

Example: Basketball Court

Stakeholders

Internal: Librarian, Library Assistant, and Parent Volunteers
School Leaders: Principal Valva, TK & K teachers, and PE Teacher
External: Beach Parent Organization, Piedmont Education Foundation, and Rec Department (location next to Schoolmates)
Community: Families & students

Recommendations

Outdoor Literacy Displays → Place laminated book covers/pages in high-traffic student areas like the garden, basketball courts, lunch area, and recycling stations.
Family Integration → Encourage after-school and weekend opportunities for families to experience Read & Roam together, beyond school-day hours.
District Expansion → Start with Beach Elementary as a pilot, then (if successful) expand to Havens, Wildwood, and potentially across the Piedmont Unified School District and city as a whole.

outside on the elementary school campus there are multiple school areas with displays sign

Project Outcomes

Outcomes message. Business concept. Result.jpg

📚 Students
Outcome: Students will actively engage with literacy outside the library by reading displays, connecting books to real-world spaces, and sharing their ideas with peers.
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
Outcome: Families will participate together in shared reading, strengthening home–school connections and building joyful literacy experiences beyond traditional hours. By showcasing eBooks through flyers, QR codes, and Instagram, families can continue the reading experience from home.
🍎 Teachers & Staff
Outcome: Teachers and staff will connect displays to lessons or enrichment activities, integrating Read & Roam into classroom learning and school culture.
🏫 Community
Outcome: The broader community will recognize the library’s value beyond its walls, viewing it as an innovative, inclusive, and accessible hub.

Assessment Plan

Students
- Checklists: Track how often students stop, read, or discuss displays.
- Reflections: Short writing/drawing prompts about favorite parts.
- Teacher Feedback: Notes on student references to Read & Roam in class.
Families
- Surveys: Via newsletters, flyers, or QR codes.
- QR Codes at Displays: One-click quick feedback forms.
- Conversations: Informal comments at pickup or events.
Community
- Newsletters: Mentions in school/BPO/district updates.
- Local Media: Coverage in Exedra and Post.
- Social Media: Engagement via likes, shares, and comments.

Create a checklist that says _Beach School_ at the top of it but empty the rest of it_edit

Marketing & Communication

Flyers in common spaces
QR codes could link directly to related physical and eBooks from the library catalog.
Instagram posts with student artwork & reviews
Newsletter highlights
Website updates to showcase content

Timeline

Fall 2025: Finalize project with librarian & administration
Winter 2025: Purchase materials & design displays
Spring 2026: Pilot launch in garden
Summer 2026: Evaluate pilot & expand

Maintenance & Sustainability

Displays swapped out seasonally (more realistic than monthly)
Stress that eBooks require no physical upkeep and can be refreshed more easily than laminated displays, making them a sustainable complement.
Teacher librarian + parent volunteers could help maintain for refreshes
Pilot phase before long-term adoption
Explore grant support (PEF, BPO, etc.)

Next Steps

Confirm project approval process (Principal & Facilities)
Collaborate on pilot planning
Identify curriculum tie-ins (garden, PE, art)
Gather input: what would make this most useful for Beach?

Thank you!

Thank you for your partnership and guidance! Read & Roam is an exciting opportunity to continue to make literacy more visible, joyful, and accessible for Beach students and families.