When Marsh students invested their own time and energy into improving their library. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)

When Marsh students invested their own time and energy into improving their library. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)

Back in 2010-11 school year, the students at Marsh Middle School decided not to let their library go gentle into that good night, and raged against the dying of the light by injecting their own positive energy into the space. Their efforts got them on national television.

While the Dallas ISD was forced to cut 20 percent of its library budget, so the students got to work. During Thanksgiving break, 40 students put in sweat equity, cleaning, painting and reorganizing the library to make it a brighter and more welcoming place to be. The following April, the students held a read-a-thon and raised $1,700, allowing for the purchase of comfy chairs and couches. Their love of the library caught the attention of the Nickelodeon network and inspired a segment on “Nick News with Linda Ellerbee.”

Read the whole story and see the video we captured at the time.Â