Innovative library at Hoover High in Fresno brings students together. Take a look inside

Leqi Zhong

Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Hoover High students and teachers can now enjoy one-stop services at a renovated library opening this week.

The $6 million-plus project adds a variety of student services and more spaces for group work and individual meetings.

The school touts the remodel as an innovative use of space that brings student and teacher services together under one roof.

Hoover High Principal Courtney Curtis said the school site has psychologists, regional instructional managers, social workers, and intervention specialists. The building also makes it possible to house space for a new restorative practices counseling center to help kids who need mediation or advice to avoid conflict at school.

“So when I say library, it’s so much more than a library, it’s all in this one space right here,” said Curtis. “We made the remodel, really maximize the space in the best way possible so that we can meet all the student needs.”

It also serves teachers and staff, he added.

“Even if we have a staff member who needs help, they’re able to go to that space, and not feel like, ‘Oh, this is just for students,’ anyone can go there,” he said.

Entering the building, career counselors hold office hours and group sessions in the foyer and are ready to share job opportunities. The doorway on the left leads to the library, which, in addition to books and seating, offers charging stations for electronic devices, and a room for students to meet with academic counselors and discuss college applications.

The right side of the building features a student store and an open space with chairs and tables for tutoring and student activities. The large classroom at the back, along with an “ink room,” a patio, and a campus culture office, are furnished for the student leadership team and staff to hold school-wide events.

“It’s been divided to meet the needs of our kids,” said Jessica Juarez, Hoover’s librarian. “Our kids now have access under one roof, to not only library resources, but also our career center, which is located within our library building, and our campus culture center is also located within the same space.”

The counselors’ offices used to be located in the front office, said Juarez. Those offices were tiny and among buzzing administrative workspace, making it difficult to have conversations and stay focused. Students have had to travel to all corners of the campus to access the services they need.

The building opens from half an hour before classes start to half an hour after school. Throughout the day, students can walk in to attend sessions with counselors, seek help from staff and teachers, join clubs and work with peers, or enjoy a quiet moment to work on their own.

Robyn Aysayavong, Hoover student body president, said the new space offers more collaborative opportunities.

“We’re working on big posters for our rally,” said Aysayavong. “I’m in design, so I spent a lot of time in here working with staff and students on our rally games.”

The team moved from their interim workspace in the cafeteria to the ink room linked with the patio. Aysayavong said that working in the room connects team members like a family and helps the team interact with other peers.

“It’s better that we’re here where everybody can actually see us, we feel like we’re with the school and not hidden out for all the background work that we do,” she said.

The library also reserves offices and meeting rooms for Pate Support Center, which is named after Hoover’s mascot Patriot and hosts a group of social workers and psychologists. The resource benefits not only Hoover students, but also is open to district-wide children and families.

Students stand at the counter of the newly renovated Hoover High School library which now includes a campus culture room, student store, career center, counseling center, and social services support center.
Students stand at the counter of the newly renovated Hoover High School library which now includes a campus culture room, student store, career center, counseling center, and social services support center.
Hoover High renovated its library building to transform it into a more modern facility and include a number of student and staff resources under one roof.
Hoover High renovated its library building to transform it into a more modern facility and include a number of student and staff resources under one roof.
Hoover High School’s renovated campus library features a more modern “coffee shop” feel with additional facilities and resources available for students and staff.
Hoover High School’s renovated campus library features a more modern “coffee shop” feel with additional facilities and resources available for students and staff.
The newly renovated Hoover High School library now includes a campus culture room, student store, career center, counseling center, and social services support center, all under one roof.
The newly renovated Hoover High School library now includes a campus culture room, student store, career center, counseling center, and social services support center, all under one roof.
Hoover High senior Jacz Simmons works inside the newly renovated campus library following its opening on Monday, May 6, 2024. The library features a modern look with more resources for students and staff under one roof.
Hoover High senior Jacz Simmons works inside the newly renovated campus library following its opening on Monday, May 6, 2024. The library features a modern look with more resources for students and staff under one roof.

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