Obama Middle School's Rebekah Orensten Wins State Library Award

When Obama Middle School opened its doors for the first time this August, library media specialist Rebekah Orensten got to do what most librarians can only dream of: Create her own library from the ground up, not only deciding what books and resources to order, but how to arrange the bookshelves, chairs and tables themselves. The new library, which is shared with the adjoining Obama Montessori, has quickly become a hub in the newly renovated building, where students of all ages can discover their new favorite book on every visit.

Two months into the new school year, Orensten got more good news when she was named the School Media Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Minnesota Library Association Conference. This award honors a licensed school librarian, or technology integrationist who has made innovation and the development of new ideas and teaching philosophy using school library, maker, or technological practices and ideas. In her previous role at Battle Creek Middle School, Orensten mentored her school's genius squad and continually pursued grants and donations to provide her students with a makerspace, robots, art supplies, a Cricut machine and more.

"The library is a special place that gives students opportunities that they might not otherwise have. I was bound and determined that my students would have every opportunity that schools with more funding would have," she said. "I want all my students to know that the library is for them and that they are welcome in the space."

As one of the people who nominated her for the award said: "Rebekah exemplifies what it means to be a 21st-century library media specialist: student-centered, tech-savvy, and deeply dedicated to empowering young minds."