Beyond Books: Designing Equitable, Future-Forward School Libraries Through Advocacy, Transformation & Innovation

School libraries are no longer just book repositories. They are equity-driven, technology-rich learning hubs that amplify student voice, collaboration and innovation. This poster presentation shares lessons from leading Project READ, Dallas ISD's library redesign initiative, and from advocacy to restore certified librarian positions. Project READ organizes library space into Research, Exploration, Application and Design zones that expand student interest in the arts and design, deepen coding skills, build speaking and presentation skills with digital tools, and strengthen critical thinking through research and collaboration. Explore a practical, replicable roadmap for transforming traditional libraries into future-ready spaces. Learn strategies for using data on inequitable access to get stakeholders to listen and act, five core principles of a future-ready library, the steps and stakeholder strategies behind Project READ, and low-, mid- and high-cost ways to redesign collections, furniture and scheduling to support active learning.