For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Cohasset Education Foundation receives Massachusetts Library Association Award

COHASSET — Superintendent Louise Demas and the Cohasset Education Foundation (CEF) are pleased to announce that the CEF has been awarded the Massachusetts School Library Association’s (MSLA) 2019 Parents as Library Supporters (PALS) award.

The award annually recognizes “outstanding collaboration” between a parent or community organization and a school library. Groups must be nominated for the award by a member of the MSLA.

The award recognizes the CEF for its fundraising and planning initiatives for the Learning Commons at the Cohasset Middle and High School library. From October 2016 to August 2017, the CEF fundraised $250,000 to revamp the library into a modernized, multi-purpose learning space. 

The foundation’s goal was to update technology, encourage innovation, and create a flexible, collaborative work space at the library that was on par with the libraries at comparable school districts.

Over the summer of 2017, new lighting, furniture, flooring, window treatments, paint, and digital infrastructure was installed at the Learning Commons. The new Library Learning Commons opened in fall 2017.

“It was thanks to enthusiastic support from parents, teachers, students and administrators that we were able to raise the funds we needed for this project, and renovate the library, in just one year,” said Jen Ognibene, the CEF president.

The Learning Commons also features separate spaces for different types of learning, called the ‘campfire,’ ‘cave,’ and ‘watering hole.’ The ‘campfire’ space serves as a place for students to listen to a lecture or story, the ‘cave’ is a spot for individual study, and the ‘watering hole’ is an area for students to collaborate with peers.

“Our mission was to transform the library into a modern learning space that would foster student growth, collaboration, and innovation,” Ognibene said. “We’re so happy we were successful with the Learning Commons project, and it’s such an honor  for the Cohasset Education Foundation to be recognized by the Massachusetts School Library Association.”

Over the summer of 2018, the courtyard of the Learning Commons was also re-landscaped, and Adirondack chairs and a stone wall were put in place.

“It is wonderful to see the Cohasset Education Foundation is being recognized for the tireless effort they gave to modernize the library,” Demas said. “Our students are benefiting tremendously from the updated technology and purposeful layout of the Learning Commons.”

The Cohasset Education Foundation will be honored for the 2019 PALS award on Sunday, March 31, at the MSLA Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center.

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