Library makeover: Burns Elementary transformed by Target contribution

Burns Elementary fifth-grader Kyliah Catalan thought her school's library was kind of boring.

That changed Monday when she saw the results of a four-month makeover that included new carpet and furniture, brightly painted walls and 2,000 new books.

"I think I want to go to the library every day," she said. "I wish I had a special area (a time designed for electives such as art) for the library."

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Burns Elementary Library

Burns Elementary School revealed its new library on Monday. Target and the nonprofit Heart of America Foundation paid for the renovation; the store also donated 2000 books to the schools collection.

Target and the Heart of America Foundation chose the high-poverty North Charleston school as one of 42 nationwide this year to receive a renovation worth more than $250,000 as part of its effort to help more students read proficiently by the end of third grade. Burns Elementary was the only school selected in the state.

They unveiled the renovated space Monday with much fanfare, parading students and their parents through to check out the changes.

As part of the makeover, students and their siblings each received seven new books to take home and keep, and parents have a designated work space and books in the library to meet their needs, whether that's being a better parent or increasing their education.

"If every corporate citizen did this same type of thing, the world would be a much better place," said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.

In addition to the remodeled library, the school will benefit from the Target Meals for Minds program, which involves a partnership with the Lowcountry Food Bank. Students will receive 22 pounds of healthy food and produce every month to take home.

The changes are especially meaningful to Burns Elementary, which has struggled academically. Nearly 50 percent of its 430 students tested below grade level last year in English/language arts on the state's Palmetto Assessment of State Standards, and the school board reconstituted the school for the 2009-10 school year. All of the staff had to reapply for their jobs, and only two of its 26 teachers were rehired in 2009.

Lawanda Wallace, mother of fifth-grader Leajuwon, said the staff changes were shocking, but it's been good because more teachers are going out of their way to give students needed extra help and to engage parents. She appreciated the new library having a dedicated spot for parents to learn in the same place as their children.

"It's just amazing," she said. "The kids have a lot to look forward to and a lot to keep them entertained."

U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn was among the elected officials in attendance. He said young students' curiosity needs to be nurtured so it will stay with them as they progress through school.

"I know books open a world to children that nothing else can," he said.

The Charleston County School Board has made literacy the district's No. 1 priority, and school Superintendent Nancy McGinley said the saddest day of her life last year was talking with some incarcerated teens and realizing most could not read. The district failed those students, but she told some Burns Elementary students that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want if they learn to read.

More than 100 Target employees from across the state flooded the school Monday to help wherever they could. Some stuffed bags of food while others painted murals. Others stood in a line in the library to give out high-fives to excited students and parents seeing the renovated space.

Courtney Ferguson has a niece at Burns Elementary and attended the school as a child. She said the plain, quiet library hadn't changed much since her time there, but now it's beautiful.

"It might get more kids to come in here and sit down and read," she said.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546.