Newman Elementary School unveils a renovated library Thursday morning

SALT LAKE CITY — Students arriving at Newman Elementary today will discover their library completely transformed and upgraded.

Faculty at the school have been quietly renovating the library, thanks to the Salt Lake Education Foundation and partners like the University of Utah and the Big 12 Conference. The plan is to surprise students on Thursday with a party where students will see the library for the first time at 10 a.m. 

Senior Director James Yapias said everything from shelves to desks and chairs, newly decorated windows with school mascots and equipment will have new replacements.

“It is a surprise for them and the parents because we spent a lot of time the last couple of days just with the school specialty putting it together,” Yapias said.

Yapias said the renovation is much more than a makeover. Their renovation aims to create a new inviting space to learn and gather.

“The librarian that will be talking, the Big 12 will be talking around 10 o’clock,” Yapias said. “We have mascots that will be coming from the University of Utah, and some athletes that will visit.”

Out goes the 90’s era furniture, shelves, blinds and equipment, in comes the brand-new replacements.

“We are very grateful to School Specialty, College Football Playoff Foundation, and the Big 12 Conference for beautifying our library and our school,” Newman elementary principal Kenneth Limb said in a press release. “The library is a special place of discovery, as well as a place where students engage with text and technology. We want students to be attracted to and comfortable in our library spaces. You have made a great space even greater.”

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