Jen Wylie, a junior high teacher at Calvary Christian School (CCS), has a simple goal: to inspire children to read. Not just with a typical library, but by creating a place that encourages kids to settle in and enjoy a good book.
So when the new CCS building was under construction in 2024, Wylie took on the task of designing the school’s library. To make her vision a reality she knew she’d need money, and she had her sights set on getting a Ben Carson Reading Project grant.
“I applied once a month for almost a year before I got it,” Wylie admitted. “I really wanted this grant. Without it, I knew we didn’t have the capability to do [a library] like I wanted.”
Her persistence paid off, and the school received up to $25,000 toward the new library. Thanks to donations, they didn’t need as much as expected. What funds they did use went toward books, of course, along with seating options, paintings, even stuffed animals.
Getting the money, though, was just the first step. Because once the financing was no longer an issue, timing was. When Wylie received the grant at the end of 2024, she had to meet a March deadline to have the library finished.
But the deadline was tighter than that. First, Wylie had to wait until they had the go-ahead from the fire marshal to get in the building. As a result, she didn’t begin ordering materials until after New Year’s Day. Then, once everything started arriving, Wylie and her team had 15 days to put it all together.
“We had almost 50 gigantic IKEA bookshelves to put together, which happened in a matter of a couple of days because of the help we had.” Still, Wylie added, they had “lots of late-night pizza dinners there.”
Fortunately, they were able to complete the work in time.
The Reading Room is divided into sections—like the elementary area, which is distinguished by bright colors, mini “hot air” balloons, bean bag seats and a rocking chair.
A pre-teen nook was set up featuring a couch, Lego sets and strategy games like chess. The high school section has a couch as well, plus a fireplace, college-level books and dystopian units, tables with plug-ins and decor to give it a vintage coffee-shop vibe.
Putting something like this together wasn’t difficult for Wylie. In fact, she designed two libraries while working as a junior high English teacher in Julian, Calif.
As for CCS, she’s not done. She recently received another smaller grant, which she plans to use for new books and to replace things like chess pieces or to repair broken or ripped items.
While she enjoys creating a space for kids that’s “spunky and inviting,” Wylie is mostly focused on the importance of reading.
“If you can read you can have confidence and be inspired,” she said. “Libraries don’t have to be boring.”
To learn more about Calvary Christian School in Bellefontaine, visit ccsspartans.com or call (937) 599-4879.
