Renovated MRA library fosters love for reading
MRA’s newly-renovated elementary library creates a space that fosters a love for reading, says Director of Advancement Martha Maxey.
“With this project, we have done just that,” Maxey said. “From reading books for students, climbing in for a good read, comfortable furniture to enjoy during a read aloud, to a tiered seating for guest speakers and readers, the newly renovated library provides a space our elementary students don’t want to leave.”
The McPherson Library Dedication & Blessing was held in December, thanks to a generous gift from Tracie & Jeff McPherson.
Renovations on the library began during the Spring 2022 semester and were completed just in time before the start of school in August.
Students have enjoyed the library’s wide selection of books and state-of-the-art design. Maxey said the most common answer students gave when asked about the environment was that it was their “favorite place on campus.”
Tracy and Jeff McPherson have made a huge impact on MRA and the entire school is grateful for their gift, Maxey said.
“We are so grateful for the McPherson’s extremely kind and generous gift,” Maxey said. “It was an honor to have students, faculty, administration, and MRA Board members, along with the McPherson family and friends, gather to officially dedicate and pray over the library. The McPhersons are leaving a lasting legacy through this space that creates a love for reading for our MRA elementary students.”
MRA Elementary Principal Amanda Smillie said the vision for the library was to create a fun and engaging environment for students to bring reading and learning to life.
“We wanted to not only promote a love for reading but also encourage students to be creative and offer a space to host guest speakers for our students,” Smillie said. “The newly renovated McPherson Library has accomplished all of this. We have an inviting learning space with books, a stage, and a maker space to cultivate and innovate creation. Students enjoy coming to the library and it has created such enthusiasm to read across the elementary.”
Head of School Termie Land said the costs of renovating the library were significant, but worth every cent.
“We now have more than a library,” Land said. “We have a place, an atmosphere, where students will develop and grow a love for reading. We are so appreciative of Tracie and Jeff for helping MRA renovate the library into a space that the students love. Their gift has had a tremendous impact on MRA.”