prologue

Our Story Begins

In 2011 a group of innovative and committed individuals crossed sectors and came together to impact the lives of Baltimore City students. The concept was simple—transform elementary and middle school libraries in some of Baltimore’s most challenged communities into inspirational spaces, with the goal of improving overall academic achievement. The outpouring of support and excitement has been overwhelming.

In particular, the authors of The Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project are deeply grateful for advice and guidance provided through three dynamic initiatives that also focused on library renovations:

  • The L!brary Initiative, a partnership of the Robin Hood Foundation and the New York City Department of Education, funded 58 library renovations from 2001-2009 throughout New York City.
  • The Capitol Hill Community Foundation led a public-private partnership with DC Public Schools to complete eight library renovations in 2006 and 2007 within the Capitol Hill community. Driven by volunteers, all eight renovations were completed on time and under budget.
  • The Baltimore Community Foundation’s Library Funds renovated three libraries in Baltimore City from 2001-2008. Spearheaded by the vision of two community leaders, this initiative laid the groundwork for the Baltimore Library Project.

The Vision

The Baltimore Library Project engages leaders from multiple organizations and across sectors, each contributing uniquely to the initiative as a whole, as well as individual libraries. Every new library space is well designed, well made, flexible and durable, and includes the latest technologies and features such as iPads, computers, a dedicated space for parents/guardians, informal reading areas, and separate areas for study and research, instruction, and group discussion.

By creating school libraries that are not only more contemporary and functional, but also fun and inviting, the Weinberg Foundation and its partners have seen these new spaces contribute to children’s love of books, as well as help them to develop critical reading and thinking skills. Many studies nationwide, including prior evaluations, were premised on findings that well-resourced and staffed school libraries positively impact academic achievement. In order to potentially add to these findings, a new evaluation of the Baltimore Library Project is underway.

In addition, spaces created through the Baltimore Library Project engage families and the entire community. This engagement occurs, through partnerships, extracurricular programs, and enrichment programs including SummerREADS. Library Project schools also serve as access points for supplemental services such as food, backpacks, and winter coats.

For each new library, the Foundation contributes four years of operating support. This is in the form of a staff position, professional development, and activities that enhance the use of the space. The Foundation contributes an additional two years of support if the library continues to maximize the space, as well as available partnerships.

Project History

2011
2011
July
  • Inspired by similar projects, project vision developed, including discussion and engagement with local, potential partners
August
September
  • Partnership agreed upon with Baltimore City Public Schools
  • Process begins to identify initial schools
October
  • Focus groups hosted to include input from students and parents
  • First meeting of the Library Project Advisory Committee
December
  • Library Project officially launches, including news conference at Moravia Park Elementary School
2012
2012
January
  • Plans developed for the next chapter of the Library Project—a community-wide book drive intended to help provide additional books for new libraries
March
  • First annual Book Drive begins with major kick-off event
  • New Library Project website, www.baltimorelibraryproject.org, launches
June
  • Construction begins for first three schools: Moravia Park Elementary School, Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School, and Southwest Baltimore Charter School
September
  • Grand opening of Moravia Park Elementary School, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, and Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School libraries
  • New schools announced: Arlington Elementary/Middle School, Henderson-Hopkins, and The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School
2013
2013
March
  • Second annual Book Drive launches
May
  • Construction begins: Arlington Elementary/Middle School and The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School
September
  • Grand opening of Arlington Elementary/Middle School and The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School libraries
  • New schools announced: Harford Heights Elementary School, Morrell Park Elementary/Middle School, and Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle School
  • Mayor’s Reading Club begins—a public-private partnership designed to improve literacy skills for students, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, across Baltimore City
November
  • Construction begins: Morrell Park Elementary/Middle School and Henderson-Hopkins libraries
2014
2014
March
  • Third annual Book Drive
May
  • Grand opening of Morrell Park Elementary/Middle School library
June
  • SummerREADS begins: a drop-in literacy program, hosted in Library Project libraries, that combines reading activities, free meals, and hands-on workshops for students across Baltimore City
September
  • Grand opening of Harford Heights Elementary School, Henderson-Hopkins, and Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle School libraries
  • New schools announced: Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School and Westport Academy
2015
2015
March
  • Fourth annual Book Drive
June
  • Second year of SummerREADS
  • Construction begins: Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School and Westport Academy
September
  • Grand opening of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School and Westport Academy libraries
  • New schools announced: Hampden Elementary/Middle School and George Washington Elementary School
2016
2016
March
  • Fifth annual Book Drive
June
  • Third year of SummerREADS
August
  • Construction begins: Hampden Elementary/Middle School and George Washington Elementary School
2017
2017
January
  • Grand opening of Hampden Elementary/Middle School and George Washington Elementary School libraries
  • New school announced: Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School
March
  • Sixth annual Book Drive
June
  • Fourth year of SummerREADS
  • Construction begins: Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School
October
  • Grand opening of Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School library
  • New school announced: James McHenry Elementary/Middle School
2018
2018
March
  • Seventh annual Book Drive
July
  • Fifth year of SummerREADS
  • Construction begins: James McHenry Elementary/Middle School
2019
2019
January
  • Grand opening of James McHenry Elementary/Middle School library
July
  • Sixth year of SummerREADS
September
  • New school announced: Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School
2020
2020
July
  • Design finalized: Maryland School for the Blind
October
  • Construction begins: Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School
2021
2021
June
  • Grand opening of Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School library