New library space shown above.
When Emily Figueroa ’25 enrolled in the iSchool’s Library and Information Science – School Media program, she knew she wanted to make a tangible impact on students’ lives. Now, she’s doing just that as the winner of a $50,000 VITAL Libraries grant from New York City Public Schools, awarded to transform school libraries in high-need communities.
Thanks to the funding, Figueroa is leading a full revitalization of the library and adjacent computer lab at Edward A. Reynolds Transfer High School, where she works as a school librarian. “The grant will allow us to reimagine the space and integrate programming into the very fabric of our school,” she says.
Figueroa credits Leanne Ellis, Manhattan’s School Library Coordinator and her mentor, for encouraging her to apply. From there, the competitive process moved quickly—137 schools applied. After submitting a six-part application, she became one of just four semifinalists and advanced to an in-person interview alongside her principal. In late February, she learned her school had been selected.
With the support of the grant committee, Figueroa created a Library Advisory Committee (LAC) to drive the work. The group has met weekly since March, crafting a new library mission and vision, conducting a community needs assessment, and designing inclusive programming to meet the evolving needs of a diverse student population.
The transformation goes beyond aesthetics. “We’ve purchased entirely new furniture for the library—soft seating, flip-and-nest tables, café and high-top options that offer flexibility and comfort,” she says. “The computer lab is getting new workstations and Makerspace equipment including a 3D printer, sewing machine, button makers, Cricut, and more.”
The changes are deeply personal. After relocating from its long-time location in 2023, the school’s library had been operating out of a much smaller, shared space on the 11th floor of a reconfigured office building. “Our students—many of whom are teen parents, have experienced homelessness, incarceration, or have recently arrived as migrants—deserve a space that reflects their worth and potential,” she says.
The library will now be a vibrant, multipurpose space where students can connect, create, and belong. “We’re building a third space—a safe, supportive, and fun environment for learning and community building,” Figueroa explains. “This is especially important in a school where students’ experiences range from interrupted education to recent migration.”
She’s also leaning on her iSchool education to make the most of this opportunity. “The program has shaped my understanding of what school libraries can and should be—places of inclusion, inquiry, and empowerment,” she says. She gives special thanks to the grant committee, the NYC Office of Library Services, and the iSchool for supporting this journey.
“This has been a tremendous opportunity,” Figueroa says. “And we’re just getting started.”