The school library was awarded $50,000 through the McGee foundation after applying for the grant. As a result, the library went through major renovations throughout the summer.

The McGee Foundation is a family owned organization that has been around since 1953. They focus on numerous categories that help those in Kansas City. Sion was granted the money to cover any expenses for the library minus construction purposes. After the large addition of the field, High School Division Head Natalie McDonough realized the library was the next area of interest.

“We knew the library was an area we need to spruce up, not only in the look but also in what we were offering,” McDonough said. “The paint and everything you see is just a facelift.”

The walls were painted purple, new tables were installed and shelves have been rearranged. Librarian Jennifer Campbell is also expecting new couches, books, online subscriptions and movies to be added.

“Our average age of library material on our shelves is 1973 which is wrong for a lot of reasons,” Campbell said. “Your generation really doesn’t seek out that old information because you are so used to having it online.”

Receiving a grant this grand is not an easy task. Director of development, Stephanie Volk, handles all of the funding that comes to Sion.

“Anytime we are applying for a grant, I think of it as applying for a job. It is not easy to fundraise but I feel like the McGee foundation is very fair,” Volk said. “It is very important and critical that we honor what we say we are going to do with the money. We asked specifically for the library and so the money is only going to be spent in the library.”

The collaborative team made up of Campbell, Volk and McDonough made the blueprint for the new update.

“It was a combined effort between Mrs. Broderick, Ms.Campbell, Mrs. Volk and myself,” McDonough said. “The teachers were also very instrumental in saying what they need.”

Students may no longer just be finding books in the library, but may be finding sources of media for all subjects.