Leonard Elementary’s media center and its surrounding area got a new look over the summer, thanks to the Leonard Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

The media center was made over with a “camp-like” feel, complete with a reading row boat, new chairs, rugs, curtains, pillows that resemble logs and a campfire to sit around while reading.

A banner which reads “Camp Leonard” now welcomes students as they enter the library.

The school’s PTO raised money through fundraising efforts to fund the full cost of the project, which totaled around $3,000 for the media center and about $300 for paint to decorate lockers just outside the library.

“We wanted to get them looking forward to going to the library. It’s a comfortable place to go and we hope it encourages kids to want to read more,” said Leonard Elementary PTO President Michelle Houck.

The old hallway just outside the media center had been, by many accounts, run down– with dull, gray lockers lining the walls.

Lauren LoCascio, a member of Leonard’s PTO, painted the group of lockers to look like books in a bookshelf, with the help of other parents and staff members.

Members of Leonard Elementary’s staff provided the titles of their favorite children’s books for the project.

Titles like “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “Goodnight Moon,” which have made their mark on Leonard staff members now mark the lockers, as well.

The painting project, which took place throughout July and August took the small group around 50-60 hours of work to complete.

“Leonard (Elementary) is a really unique, special school. The kids are so positive. They really care about each other and there’s a real sense of community and family at that school. We thought that should really be reflected throughout the school,” said LoCasio.

LoCascio also wanted to thank Chrystal Boyl, Traci Parsons, Rebekah Pinchback, Meeghan Rayner, and Erin Morey and the Leonard Elementary custodial staff for their contributions to the project.

Leonard Elementary Principal Paul McDevitt showcased the updated media center at a school board meeting Sept. 27.

According to McDevitt, through the parent’s hard work, the results turned out to be greater than he could have ever imagined.

“It took my breath away this summer when I was here throughout the summer and the parents were here almost every day. The finished result is something that just turned out amazing,” McDevitt told the board.

The Oxford school board seemed to be equally moved by the enormous amount of support that had been shown by Leonard parents.

“The support you have out here from the parents is incredible. It just shows the (level of) community you have out here and how much the community loves this school,” said Trustee Jim Reis.