Teachers

If Libraries Could Talk

This lesson plan was developed by the Office of School Services as part of the Wisconsin Built Environment teachers guide for the elementary-level classroom. Please adapt it to fit your students' needs.

Background Information

If buildings could talk, they would tell us all about people who built them, maintained them or allowed them to deteriorate, found new uses from them, and inhabit them now. Students can find out a great deal about Wisconsin history and the history of their local communities by studying the built environment. Wisconsin's Built Environment introduces students to a selection of structures that together tell some of our state's many stories.

Document

Preview the section on libraries that can be used with your students as they begin to explore their local community. 

*Note* In order to read this section you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this tool, you can find information in our help section.

Suggested Activities

1. Have students compare and contrast the Sparta Free Library and the Scott Free Library by listing their similarities and differences.
2. What is the style of the library (libraries) in your community? Ask students to think about the similarities and differences from the two libraries discussed here. If there is an original Carnegie library in your community, is it now used for something else? if so, why was a new library built?
3. Ask students to research what influences in Andrew Carnegie's life may have shaped his generosity with his money.
4. Ask students to consider how a library from their parents or grandparents generation would differ from today's libraries. Have them interview members of their family to learn more about libraries of the past.
5. Ask students to research the local library or libraries and draw pictures or take photographs of the buildings and place them on a timeline.