NOT JUST FOR BOOKS!
Libraries around the country are fast becoming the hub and meeting place of
schools, neighborhoods, cities and towns.
They are a gathering place for those who love to read, love to watch, just want a quiet place to think, don’t want to be alone, need help finding a job, need help finishing school, or finishing a degree for school, the list goes on and on.
Even though funding and support is down for public libraries, they still play a vital role in our lives.
In large cities around the country there is still one third of the population of people with no internet access. It’s hard for us to believe. We are fortunate to live in a small community with everything at our fingertips.
As The New York Times editorialized some months ago, “The libraries are where poor children learn to read and love literature, where immigrants learn English, where job-seekers hone résumés and cover letters, and where those who lack ready access to the Internet can cross the digital divide.” Imagine everything you did today that utilized the Internet—checked your checking-account balance, ordered a birthday present for a friend, read your hometown newspaper—and now imagine having to go to the library, during library hours, to do it. Can’t make it to your local branch between 10 and 6? Tough luck. Hop on the bus and try again tomorrow during your 20-minute lunch break.
As I said, we are so fortunate and blessed!
‘Cultivating a space in the library that teens can activate and own sends teens a strong signal they are valued and welcome.’
I wanted to share this statement from an article in the American Library Magazine entitled, ‘A Place of Their Own.” Many have asked why we’ve added, or should I say changed our layout in the library.
‘Creating spaces where teens can thrive.’
That says it all!
I’ll be posting random pics of our little hub, our gathering place here in the library.
~~ twins hard at work ~~
–hangin’ out before the bell & St. A. Live gettin’ ready–
~~ gaming competitions everyday ~~
This is how our mornings start in the Sowinski Family Media Center!
…or a school library!!!
Brilliant!!
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Archive Photos
A few pics of students using the library!
[with or without books involved]
— working on assorted projects —
[these students need to learn how to shelve books, not just check-out books! Hah!]
**
Virtual Spanish class working out a problem on the phone with instructor somewhere in Florida.
“Virtual Spanish is cool, but it’s haaarrrddd!!”- so say the 8th graders.
Did you know that Mrs. Mejia is helping Father George with his college-level Spanish?
He’s enrolled at IRSC!!
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-a typical day during lunch free time-
Awwwww! Friends are fun!
Friends & Foes !!
Hmmmmm??? Who will win?
Friends! …always!
~girls being shy~
~boys being silly~
Me keeping my eye on all of them!
Now that’s what I like to see… books being read!! …or kindle apps.
Non-Fiction Fiction
The boys are checking out the girls between the book stacks! How old school!!
~ now down to more serious work~
Mrs. Noelke helping 8th grade with their Grant Projects
You may have noticed all the solar systems and robots in the background.
3rd grade projects
Also, our circulation desk & entrance is decorated for Christmas.
A creature was stirring! Our little book mice!
~MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL~
…and to all a good night!
You know Catholic School’s Week is coming when you see students writing letters of invitation to their grandparents!
These 8th graders probably don’t realize it yet, but it’s their last Catholic School’s Week!
Their last jog-a-thon!
Field Day Fun in the library!
[bottle flipping]
They had tons of fun & lots of laughs!
***
3rd grade has outdone themselves again with their Dino-Trioramas!
Pretty Cool! Huh?
Wait a minute! Move over 3rd grade- here comes the 6th grade with their science projects!
The younger students loved checking these projects out! Speaking of Einstein ~ way to go Mrs. Smith!
***
Our eagle-cams make them seem like one of the students. Don’t they?
Awwwwwww!!! …and we’re going to have 2 new babies any day now!
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— More Photos —
We’re all getting re-trained in our CPR & AED use!
End of Summer
Before you know it…. 100th Day of School!
Yes, we have Christmas parties too!
