An elementary school library will now forever hold the stories of its former students.
As part of a new library legacy project initiated by teacher librarian Natalie Hartmann, graduating sixth graders at Hillside Grade School were invited to leave a lasting mark on their school.
The project asked students to design and paint the cover of a book that held special meaning for them during their time at Hillside.
Sixteen sixth-graders volunteered for the project, dedicating eight to 12 morning sessions in the library to bring their artwork to life. They selected a wide range of books, including picture books, graphic novels, nonfiction and chapter books.
Each student also wrote a thoughtful reflection explaining why their chosen book was meaningful, how it impacted them as a reader, changed their worldview or reminded them of their time at Hillside.
Hartmann said she hopes this becomes an annual tradition, giving future sixth-graders an opportunity to reflect on their reading journeys while contributing lasting beauty to the library through their artwork.
