A typical elementary school library setting consists of wooden tables and chairs, and of course, books.

That's far from the case at the West Penn Elementary School library, which now sports new digs for its students to enjoy.These days when students enter the library, they are greeted not only by books and technology, but also with bright colors and cozy furniture.It turns out they have a teacher, secretary, former student, and several parent volunteers to thank for the new look of their library.Over the summer, Michele Bittner, a fifth-grade teacher; Paula Schoener, administrative assistant; and Cailee Bittner, a 2016 graduate and former West Penn student, volunteered their time to revamp the library.Michele said the project began two years ago after the idea was brought up at a PTO meeting."We wanted it to be something inviting and interesting to the students," Michele Bittner said. "The PTO is extremely supportive and generous. They gave us the funds, and here it is."Michele and Cailee Bittner were joined by a handful of volunteers to paint the walls. Thenthe three did the detail work.The library was initially unveiled at a recent Meet the Teachers Night, Schoener said."Jaws were dropping all over the place," she said.Schoener said the library features leather chairs and a sofa, along with crates that were made by a PTO mom."Former students said they wished they could come back," Schoener said. "We came up with the ideas of what we wanted to have and where we wanted them to go."Michele said there are plans to use the library as an active multimedia center to be used more on a daily basis, and that some small additions may eventually be added to the library.Cailee said she believes the library looks like "a place you actually want to be. It makes reading more enjoyable."Count Jathan Krall, a fifth-grader, is among those who likes the library's new features."It has improved a lot. It looks really nice," Jathan said. "It's more inviting."Fellow fifth-grader Kelly Lorah visited the library with her classmate."I like it better this year because it has more color," Kelly said.