School Library’s Magical Makeover Brings Awe to Early Learners

May 20, 2025

Little kids have an extra special quality. They still feel awe about the little things. That feeling is what librarian Shana Opdenberg hoped her school’s library/STEAM space could deliver to its PreK-Grade 2 students. She – and they – don’t have to hope any longer.

Mrs. Opdenberg’s entry in the "Reimagine Your Classroom Contest" won a wall-to-wall classroom furniture overhaul for the multimedia library at Little Falls School No. 2 in New Jersey. The annual contest for New Jersey schools is sponsored by dancker (interiors) of New Jersey and Smith System, a leading PreK–12 school furniture manufacturer.

Here’s how Opdenberg’s dynamic winning entry created a “magical difference” for over 300 students, starting with the 2024-25 school year.

Multimedia Libraries Have Multiple Jobs

We ask a lot of modern school libraries and their instructors. Mrs. Opdenberg is School No. 2’s library media specialist and STEAM teacher. She’s been there for 20 years. In that time, her curriculum has expanded, her tools have evolved, and the ELL population doubles each year.

“As a librarian, I teach social emotional learning through picture books. That’s a lot of the messaging for this age. I also teach students about digital citizenship and the very beginnings of block coding.” Her STEAM curriculum includes using the engineering design process and technology, like 3-D printing, to solve problems.

Principal Jill Castaldo elaborated, “Our curriculum is centered around hands-on learning activities, opportunity for choice, and student voice.”

Opdenberg Decides to Dream Big

But the Little Falls Schools No. 2 combined library and multimedia space had a big problem. It had antiquated school furniture that seriously hindered teaching and learning.

“The right environment is so important, especially in a STEAM room where it’s all about imagination and creating,” Mrs. Opdenberg explained.

Principal Castaldo added her concerns. “Literacy is the heart of early childhood education. This building is where all Little Falls students begin their public school experience. This space is not conducive for our students to grow.”

With Castaldo’s encouragement, Mrs. Opdenberg decided to apply for the contest. It requires each applicant to create a short video showing/describing the challenges of a current classroom or learning space. Applicants are also asked to describe their dream space and how it would improve the teaching and learning experience.

Mrs. Opdenberg asked Principal Castaldo to join her in making an on-camera pitch.

Video Shows Furniture Stuck in Time – and Place

In the video, the two sit side-by-side in a cramped room on the school’s second floor. The backdrop is bulky bookshelves with overflowing plastic bins. There’s no technology in site.

“Our vision,” says Principal Castaldo, “is to utilize this space as a true media center.” Together, they take viewers on a mini video tour of the tired, uninspiring library and STEM/STEAM space. The problems quickly come into focus.

Broken Tables. “The furniture is very worn and old. Some of it is even a safety concern,” explains Principal Castaldo, as she shows a table with loose, broken trim.
Oversized Chairs. They pan the camera to old wood chairs that are entirely too large and heavy for PreK-Grade 2 students.
Lack of Storage and Display Space. STEM materials, though abundant, are stored in a cramped side room, hidden in boxes and bins. Says Mrs. Opdenberg, “We have 3-D printers running all the time. I want our students to see them in action.”
Stationary Book Shelves. The school prides itself in having a print-rich environment. Yet, there’s no centralized space for the school’s carefully curated books, many donated by the Little Falls Education Foundation (LFEF), and no way to quickly move shelving.

The clear thru-line in the video is stagnant, old furnishings. The restrictive environment doesn’t allow flow or collaboration. The two women conclude by declaring their vision: “Mobile and flexible [furniture] to read, build, imagine and create.”

The Judges are Wowed

Ensuring a fair and unbiased judging process is a top priority. The judges included a special-ed teacher, a former winner of the contest, and a university’s technology directory.

Mary Lynn Kearns is with dancker sales. She said Mrs. Opdenberg’s entry impressed judges for its clear demonstration of need and vision for what could be.

“The classroom was filled with cutting-edge tools and innovative learning resources, yet the space was outdated and cramped.” She noted a clear disconnect between analog and digital learning. It prevented students from seamlessly transitioning between traditional and tech-driven activities.

Kearns was excited about combining dancker’s design skills with Smith System’s innovative furniture to transform the learning experience. “Nothing is more rewarding than seeing students and teachers thrive in a space designed for collaboration, creativity and innovation.”

Drum Roll, Please... Team Opdenberg and Castaldo Win

District Superintendent Tracey Marinelli was the first to hear the good news. Wanting to make the surprise even more special, she playfully convinced Mrs. Opdenberg and Principal Castaldo that their project hadn't been selected. Instead, she encouraged them to pitch it to another organization that might be willing to support it.

When they showed up to do so, the contest sponsors walked in – balloons in hand – to congratulate the two women. Their entry was the 2023 Reimagine Your Classroom Contest winner.

“I was shocked, then elated, then excited,” Mrs. Opdenberg shared. “I honestly never thought we’d win.” Especially so, since the contest’s first-year winner was from Little Falls School No. 1.

Collaborative Design Begins Immediately

While at the announcement event in late 2023, the design team learned more about the school’s vision and space needs. Susan Flaherty with Smith System introduced innovative furniture options that aligned perfectly.

Then things got even more interesting.

Flaherty suggested, “If we’re going to truly reimagine your space, how can we rethink other spaces, too?” Superintendent Marinelli identified a larger, more accessible space on the main floor that would work better as the new library and media room. It would also be easier for families to work together after school or in the evenings.

Dancker took measurements, collaborated with Smith System, and came back with design options. After much feedback, everything was finalized in spring 2024. Furniture was ordered in June.

The Library Furniture Line-Up

Awe-inspiring is a great way to describe the new furniture in its new home. There’s a carefully curated fun, bright and airy vibe for students, mixed with an educator’s practical must-haves: functionality, flexibility and flow. Everything is rightly sized for PreK–Grade 2 ages.

Classroom Tables and Classroom Desks

For working surfaces, the design included highly durable and mobile options (in various quantities):

Elemental® Crescent Table – slightly curved, with adjustable-height

Elemental® Trapezoid Table – versatile shape, with adjustable-height

Elemental® Student Desk – Huddle model – compact, easy-to-group, adjustable-height

Classroom Chairs, Rockers, Stools and Soft Seating

Keeping young kids engaged can be a challenge. Offering fun seating and choices can help. The multimedia space includes comfortable options for solo and team work: upholstered and traditional; stationery, flexible and rocking; table and floor sitting.

Flavors® Stack Chair – four-position chair with flex, 14”high, casters

Flowform® Hexagon Ottoman – vinyl surface, lightweight, 15” high

Flowform® Learn Lounge Single Seat – vinyl surface, relaxed sit, casters

Flowform® Learn Lounge Double Seat – slight curved bench-style, vinyl surface, casters

Oodle® with Oodle® Soft cushioned top – sturdy stool with stackable height options

Isle Round Floor Cushion with Isle Floor Cushion Cart – durable, mobile, easy to clean and store

Classroom and Multimedia Storage

The multimedia classroom didn’t just need more storage. It was desperate for accessible, highly mobile shelves, cabinets, removeable totes and display areas.

Constellate™ Storage – various with shelves, both single- and double-sided, glides and casters

Cascade® Storage cabinets – w/ doors and w/open shelves with removeable totes; whiteboard sides, casters

Flowform® Curved Storage – with shelves and whiteboard back panel

Booktruck, Six Sloping Shelf – three shelves on each side, casters

Room Divider Screens and Decorative Whimsy

To help create learning zones, the team added several of the Flowform® Learn Lounge Screen. The lightweight partial PET screens feature fun, peekaboo cutouts in various shapes.

The finishing touch was “planting” a few Flowform® Learn Lounge Trees. Also made of PET material, the freestanding 3-D tree cutouts come in a few tree species, with optional wall leaves.

Ribbon Cutting Unites Community

Riding the joyous momentum, some additional people stepped in to help. A grandparent added tile around the central fireplace. Mrs. Opdenberg’s dad reshelved library books. Principal Castaldo’s daughter helped, too.

Furniture installation took place the summer of 2024. The morning of the first day of the 2024-25 school year, a ribbon-cutting event unveiled the new space to students, staff, and members of the school board and LFEF. A video shows students’ reactions as they trickle in. Their curious eyes quickly transform into laughter, smiles and exploring every part of the colorful, fun new library and multimedia center.

“Students absolutely loved and appreciated the space right away and continue to do so. It's a pretty magical difference,” Mrs. Opdenberg shared. “Young students feel awe and enjoy the littlest things. So when we present them with beautiful … things, they get it.”

“This design enables me as a teacher.”

For Mrs. Opdenberg, the revamped library has been transformative.

“Design influences education, is what it comes down to. Many people don’t know the impact. But having this new space and new furniture has improved so many things.” Her top three: Storage, flexibility, creating a “positive, happy feeling place of possibility.”

“The space enables me as a teacher, especially the flexibility of the seating and having everything on wheels [or gliders]. I can change the space to the lessons – one kid, two kids, teams. I can even section the room when I have two classes or if I’m teaching kids with special needs.”

As she expected, the rocking chairs are most coveted by students (and staff during meetings). She has to set a time limit for how long students can sit in the rockers. Her biggest surprise is how much she loves the lightweight room dividers.

“I was very hesitant and thought students would hide behind them. But they are so useful and fabulous. They help me change up the room and they never fall over.”

A Library That Keeps the Awe Going

Nearly a year in, the new multimedia center remains a wonder. A grateful Mrs. Opdenberg concluded, “They [dancker and Smith System] went as far as they could go. And it shows.”

Today, the School No. 2 library is a space where multiple groups of children can connect and collaborate with students around the world. Closer to home, it’s being used for book clubs, gatherings for special speakers and more. The awe just keeps going – and growing.