Moore Middle School Library transformed thanks to national contest win

Libraries are the heart of the community — a place where information is freely shared, people gather to discuss ideas, and students feel at home. Moore Middle School’s library will be all that and more as students and staff begin using the recently renovated space.

Librarian Jenann Elias recently entered a contest sponsored by KI Furniture and, with the public’s help, garnered more than half of the 111,000 total votes. She designed the layout herself and selected the chairs, tables, and soft seating in calming shades of blue and gray. The tables are on casters, making them mobile and allowing teachers and Elias to adjust the area to fit the needs of the current class or activity.

In addition to the tables, chairs and soft seating, the giveaway included new book carts and a mobile island with storage space underneath.

The space will support a variety of campus activities, reaching all students and many families in the Moore Middle School community. Parent nights, ELAC and PTSA meetings, and community events are held in the media center, and the mobile furniture will provide attendees with more flexible options.

Samantha Mudd, a representative of Blue Space — a company that partners with local schools using KI — helped oversee the installation of the new furniture.

“I love to work with school districts, libraries, classrooms — any educational space,” she said. Some of the tables accommodate a chair on either end, while the chairs feature bumpers that allow them to be placed on tables for cleaning without the feet touching the surface. All of the furniture is manufactured in Wisconsin, and KI is an employee-owned company.

“The community really rallied around it,” said Principal Jennie Dyerly.

“I’m thankful to everyone who voted and our supportive administration,” Elias said. “Also, a huge shoutout to KI for holding my hand through this whole process. It looks wonderful, and I am so grateful.”