New Gaenslen School library cultivates a more welcoming and inclusive learning space

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A nearly $600,000 library renovation project at Gaenslen elementary school began a new chapter for students with disabilities.

Nearly half the students who attend the northside elementary school are students with some form of special needs.

And while the school caters to every type of child, one member of the Gaenslen staff thought more could be done to make every student feel more included.

"When I envisioned just a corner with a tree…I thought that was manageable," said Susan Plew, Gaenslen's library media specialist.

Plewa found and applied for a James Patterson grant in 2015 to help with her vision of adding onto the library.

To Plewa's surprise, she won the grant, but not for as much money as she needed.

"Top grant was for $10,000, they only gave us five ($5,000), and I went oh no, what are we going to do with 5,000," said Plewa.

Plewa, excited for the grant money, knew she would need additional funds to provide the student a proper library, so she turned to the school for help.

"She (Susan) told me when the next meeting would be, and we met and things just unfolded from there," said Kirsten Brown.

Brown began finding donors through sources like the Milwaukee Public School Foundation.

"Being focused on the solutions, being focused on how we can really be an agent of change in our community through the vehicle of education, that’s what the foundation is committed to," said Tiffany Tardy, executive director of the Milwaukee Public School Foundation.

Donors were able to raise enough money to transform the library into a space that offers something for students with varying degrees of disabilities and capabilities.

"The tactile experience was somewhat central to it, not just for them, but for all children that need a place to experience with all their senses, in a welcoming space," said Plewa.

The space opened in the fall of 2022.