By JOSEPH QUESADA

Faculty moves books from bookshelves to make room for renovations to the Citrus Valley library on Jan. 22, 2020 at Citrus Valley High. (Joseph Quesada / Ethic Photo)

Citrus Valley High School’s library and computer lab is in the midst of some major changes that will bring new life and an updated feel to the space. The Blackhawk campus will receive brand new technology that will enhance the learning experience of students and promote collaboration between them. 

Cubicle-like glass rooms will be installed on the east side of the library space where the outdated Dell desktop computers once sat. These “Collaboration Rooms” will include touch screen computers and large whiteboards that will provide an open space to conduct group projects or hold group study sessions. 

The northern end of the library, closest to the quad, will be outfitted as an instructional area where classes can come work in an unique environment. Librarian Tiffany Brook explains that the furniture in this area will be largely rearrangeable, capable of accommodating classes of any size. The new space will emphasize individual compatibility, as Brook stated there will be “more modernized furniture that’s movable for space configuration, along with touch screen computers both inside the glass collaboration rooms and around the library.”

Citrus Valley faculty places caution tape around the library for renovations on Jan. 22, 2020 at Citrus Valley High. (Joseph Quesada / Ethic Photo)

The center of the library will serve as more social setting with booths and counters being installed as work spaces. Jordan Lovato, an assistant in the library, stated, “This area will be very good for reading, studying, working or even just relaxing. It will have sort of a cafe feel to it.” 

One of the most interesting new additions to the Blackhawk library will be the video production room outfitted with a full-size green screen and camera equipment. All students are encouraged to use this “Digital Storytelling Room” for video, media or film projects of any sort. At the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, the Redlands Unified School District adopted the use of the editing application known as WeVideo, allowing students to work freely and easily with the green screen room. 

A storage room in the Citrus Valley library has been revamped into a new green screen room for students to use for media projects on Jan. 22, 2020 at Citrus Valley High. (Joesph Quesada / Ethic Photo)

Currently, the library is still in the early stages of renovation, but it is expected finish by the end of the 2019-2020 school year. If not, the renovations will complete prior to the start of the new school year in the fall of 2020. The overarching goal of these updates is to both prove Citrus Valley’s campus with a modernized feel and keep it up to date with the technology that is driving this age of education.