Lawrence High School, Massachussetts
What led you to become a high school librarian?
I always loved libraries. I felt safe in libraries as a teen and as an undergrad.
I loved researching. I wanted to provide a safe space for curious people like me, so I decided to get my master's in education and library science.
Tell us about the high school you work at & your role.
Lawrence has about 3,200 students with a large immigrant population. When I originally started working in Lawrence, I was told that the library was a digital library.
Although a digital library might work for some districts, I have always found that students respond best when they have a choice between eBooks, audiobooks, and traditional hardcover books.Comprised of 4 schools on campus, Abbott Lawrence Academy, Lower School Academy, Upper School Academy and UNIDOS, each school is special. UNIDOS is a school for English Language Learners.
Many students in UNIDOS check out classic literature and crafting books. Lower school students are ravenous for Marvel comics. Upper School students like to checkout manga and romance novels.
Students do not have traditional study halls on campus and the library is located in Abbott Academy, so to make sure that students have access to books I created a mobile library cart and bring it to the cafeteria most school days to check out materials. This has been very successful!
How has the mobile library cart impacted students?
I am getting to know students better and they are telling me what they are interested in reading. Teachers are seeing what I offer the students and invite me to their classroom to do books talks, check out materials and teacher classes on research skills.
You started with 12 books—now it's over 600. What does that growth say about students’ desire to read?
It tells me that the school needs more access to books. The more students read the better their reading and writing skills will develop. It is essential that I keep students in a steady supply of high interest books.
What has been the impact of losing a traditional school library?
It’s detrimental to a person's view of learning. Libraries allow students to take the reins of their educational journey by providing them with the resources to conduct authentic inquiry.
Students can choose what they want to learn about and at their own pace and discretion. School libraries plant the seed to germinate lifelong learners.
I think high school librarians must ensure that students recognize that college libraries and public libraries are learning hubs and safe spaces that provide freedom to explore personal interests - and without the necessary resources, I can't accomplish that task.
Why is a well-resourced library critical—for your students and across the U.S.?
It’s essential. Without all of the necessary parts, a machine won't function. A librarian can only get resources into the hands of patrons if the resources are available.
A well-resourced library should have something that represents all societal viewpoints. Library patrons should find books that represent them as well as challenge them.
Have you witnessed a book transform a student's life?
Years ago, I had a struggling reader with a great sense of humor who would often regale me with tales of her home life. I gave this student a book by David Sedaris and asked her to read it.
She emailed me three days later and said that once she read that book she felt less alone. This students said she felt like someone wrote about her life and that at last someone understood her.
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