Patrick Henry library gets $800k facelift

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – School in Sioux Falls starts up again on Thursday and Patrick Henry Middle School is ready for students to see the newly remodeled library.

Over the summer, the library underwent an $800,000 remodel with new paint, lights and carpet, as well as additional classroom space and permanent classroom walls. 

“students walked in during the back-to-school night, and I heard a lot of Whoa, and wow, and they’re really impressed with this space,” said Wendy Nelson, the school’s librarian. 

Nelson has worked in the PHMS library for 22 years and she said the space hadn’t been fully renovated since 2004. Now, the library has more versatile seating and technological updates that allow for more space in the library.

PHMS library after last remodel in 2004.PHMS library after last remodel in 2004.PHMS library after last remodel in 2004.PHMS library after last remodel in 2004.PHMS library after last remodel in 2004.

“We can do more activities and also have students move around more for lessons and things and build some movement,” Nelson said. “It’s just made it easier for students with accessibility issues to move through desks and shelves now, more floor space that’s open.”

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Nelson said when students got their first look at the renovated space on Back to School Night, she said they were convinced the walls had moved with how much more space there was.

One of the biggest changes, Nelson said, is the permanent walls up between all the classrooms. Before, there were accordion-style temporary walls that folded up and didn’t offer much separation from other classrooms. 

Patrick Henry Middle School after 2024 renovation.Patrick Henry Middle School after 2024 renovation.Patrick Henry Middle School after 2024 renovation.Patrick Henry Middle School after 2024 renovation.Patrick Henry Middle School after 2024 renovation.

“having an accordion wall between classrooms was not ideal at all. You could overhear the other class, you know, just the distractions and disruptions

“They pulled that accordion wall across, and you had two teachers and two different subjects going on, you know, you could hear everything that was, you know, going on in the other room. It was very distracting.”

The library did go from two computer labs down to only one, but Nelson said the combined space and new desk layout is more functional for students and the teacher. 

“The teacher can move around and easily troubleshoot things like that,” she said. “So this was a big change here, going from two small computer labs to one size, one room, really laid out for this purpose.”

Patrick Henry’s library library during construction this summer.Patrick Henry’s library library during construction this summer.Patrick Henry’s library library during construction this summer.

Along with the computer lab, the library also houses classrooms for tutoring, languages, speech and the school psychologist. For students who need accommodations during testing, there is also a small room where teaching assistants can help with oral test taking.

“I teach in the middle of the library, we have mentors coming in to have lunch with students,” Nelson said. “And now we’ve got tests being read, it was just not a great testing environment for those students, for sure. I’m glad we have some dedicated space now for accommodations.”