By Jim Newell
Review Staff Writer
State Superintendent of Schools Brian Whiston visited Carpenter Elementary Aug. 24 to honor its library as a Model 21st Century Library, the first in Michigan to earn that distinction.
Whiston said Michigan is working to become a top ten state in education, and Carpenter is a leading example for elementary media centers.

“This is what we want other school districts to learn from and become a part of,” he said.
Carpenter received the honor for its efforts in incorporating technology into the classroom and collaboration with teachers and outside institutions, such as the Orion Township Library, into its curriculum.
Libraries and schools need to become “project-based, instead of just sitting in a class and reading,” Whiston said.
“Carpenter is an example of how librarians can enhance how teachers are teaching in the classroom,” he said.
Jeannine Crissman, Carpenter Elementary library specialist said “One of our big goals is to infuse technology into the curriculum. Increasing the technological comfort level of our teachers is another one of our goals.”
Crissman said she wanted teachers to be excited about the curriculum, so the library surveyed teachers to find out what they wanted to integrate into their lessons.
“We wanted to truly be collaborating with teachers,” Crissman said, adding “I’ve found that it helps if I’m knowledgeable about their curriculum.”
Connecting with students is the most important aspect of her approach, said Crissman, who focuses on building relationships with the students, getting feedback and creating a welcoming environment.
Crissman also likes to get parents to volunteer in the library. “They’re a great asset. When parents come in and see what you’re doing they become great advocates for you.”
Carpenter Elementary principal Adam Weldon said Crissman and staff engaged in an arduous process to bring the library to this level.
“About three years ago we really made a commitment to revamp our media center,” Weldon said. “Jeannine and other media specialists met every week for a year to build this vision and see this vision through. Last year was the first year it really took off.”
Crissman and the teachers work as a true collaborative unit, co-teaching students through a process of planning, preparation, teaching, assessing, reflecting and improving as they go.
“She (Crissman) did at least one collaborative project with each class in grades one through five, and some with the kindergarten’s as well,” Weldon said.
Orion Supt. Marion Ginopolis said one of the most important aspect of the honor is that Carpenter is now a model for other districts in the state. “I’m very proud of our district. This award is very well deserved by Jeannine and the Carpenter library.”
“A lot data out there says that kids do better when they have a school library,” said Randy Riley, state librarian. “What most libraries are shooting for is the exemplary standard which this library has achieved.”
“You are the first Model 21 Library,” Riley said. “Carpenter will always have the distinction of being the first one.”