By Bobby Ellis
bobby.ellis@education.ky.gov

There aren’t many libraries that can claim to have a giant wall of computer monitors, a green screen, an aquaponics lab and a slide going from the second to first floor, but the one at Eminence Independent certainly can. 

The school’s new EdHub opened this year and it’s offering students much more than the conventional library. Along with the classic shelves of books, students at Eminence also have access to eight different labs that can be used for taking tours with virtual reality goggles, filming projects for class, a LEGO wall and more.

“It’s all about getting kids more involved,” said Librarian James Allen. “You can’t pick up a shelf of books and move it around.”

 

Students sit in the community area of the new Ed Hub at Eminence Middle and High School (Henry County). The Ed Hub features eight different lab rooms, extra large TV monitors and a slide for students. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Students sit in the community area of the new EdHub at Eminence Independent. The EdHub features eight different lab rooms, extra large television monitors and a slide for students.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Heidi Adams practices her script with her puppet while working on a video project in Eminence Junior/Senior High School's new Ed Hub.

Heidi Adams practices her script with her puppet while working on a video project in Eminence Independent’s new EdHub.

Cloe Stivers has a puppet look over her shoulder as she reviews footage from her groups video assignment. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Cloe Stivers has a puppet look over her shoulder as she reviews footage from her group’s video assignment.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Cloe Stivers, left, and Kassidy Allen use puppets to film a PSA video about avalanche safety. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Cloe Stivers, left, and Kassidy Allen use puppets to film a public service announcement about avalanche safety.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Students at Eminence Junior/Senior High School use the slide in the new Ed Hub. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Students at Eminence use the slide in the new EdHub.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Neshawna Whitehouse, center, and her classmates play Minecraft with James Allen as part of a class in the schools' new Ed Hub. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Neshawna Whitehouse, center, and her classmates play Minecraft with librarian James Allen as part of a class in the schools’ new EdHub.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Students at Eminence High School use virutual reality goggles and puppets during a class in the schools new Ed Hub. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Students at Eminence High School use virtual reality goggles and puppets during a class in the district’s new EdHub.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Eminence High School senior Bethony Harp uses a pair of virtual reality goggles during a class in the new Ed Hub at the school. The Ed Hub houses eight different labs which contain a green screen, virtual reality goggles, a LEGO wall and an aquaponics system. Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016

Eminence High School senior Bethony Harp uses a pair of virtual reality goggles during a class in the new EdHub at the school. The EdHub houses eight different labs that contain things such as a green screen, virtual reality goggles, a LEGO wall and an aquaponics system.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, Sept. 15, 2016