Strasburg High School Library
Space & Physical Access
Strasburg High School is situated in rural Shenandoah County. The school (and high school library) is in the valley, so it offers a great view of the mountains when looking or walking around outside. In addition, the school serves as an entry or exit point for the Strasburg Riverwalk that connects to the town park. I not only currently work at this school, but I have been living in this town for the past two and a half years.
The library is found on the first floor of the school. One side of the library is lined with windows that oversee the front of the school / staff parking lot. The building is on the smaller side (the high school from my hometown in Pennsylvania is much bigger than this school), and it is a bit outdated. However, considering the school is in a small, rural area, it is to be expected.
The library space itself makes the best of these challenges, however, and offers several seating options.
As pictured above, there are tables and chairs, comfy chairs, and a stationary bicycle desk. There are several pictures hanging on the walls, as well as a couple of murals. In addition, there are several ceiling tiles that have been painted with a variety of artwork. The murals and ceiling tiles are all created by students.
Strasburg High School Library also has a small computer lab that can be used by students and teachers for a variety of purposes. Pre-Covid, there were also a few computers out in the main library that students could use, but those were removed last year.
Services & Intellectual Access
Rubin and Rubin (2020) discuss that school libraries must demonstrate their value; in this discussion in the text, they state “there is clear and growing evidence that the school library and professional school librarians improve academic performance” (p. 162). As I was reading this section, I drew connections between school and academic libraries. In both instances, these types of libraries must prove their relevance and worth. Fortunately, as noted by the authors, there is evidence that school librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement.
The Strasburg High School Library does show evidence that it, too, is working to support academic performance. During club days (which are held once a month during the school day), the librarian runs a book club that many students have joined. In addition to this, the librarian also offers many things to aid teachers in their teaching.
Some examples of library resources available for teachers to use for their students include: virtual reality, 3D Super Pen, coding/circuit resources, a variety of cameras, podcasting equipment, breakout boxes, makerspace items, and so much more.
While our school is small, the library provides many fantastic resources that teachers can choose to use with their students / enlist the help of the librarian to help guide students through several hands-on activities to aid in their learning.
On a less academic note, there is also an ongoing program for students in the library this month: puzzles! Students can go down during lunch or other down times to work on them. Pictured below is one of the puzzles that students have been working on.
The puzzles have been a hit for many of my students this month, and it has been the topic of many one-on-one conversations I’ve had with several students (especially when they are frustrated with a missing piece!).
Rubin and Rubin (2020) also briefly mention that school libraries are important to the school community by creating safe and welcoming spaces for students (p. 161). As a teacher at this school, I know many students view the library as a safe space. There are signs in the library that highlight mental health resources, as well as creating space for LGBTQ+ students.
Patrons & Staff
As you can imagine, this school library is for students and teachers to use. However, the space is very student-oriented.
There is only one librarian at Strasburg High School, and she works on her own without an assistant. That being said, sometimes there are student “interns” that help out during a free block in their senior year. These students are able to “intern” for any teacher in the school (I have two such students in two of my classes this semester), but some of them choose to be in the library. These students will help with check in/check out or other simple duties to help the school librarian.
Aside from this, the library is available to students during the day to check out books or to complete work in a quiet space. There are times that I permit my students to work in the library if they need a different space to focus on an essay or project. Students may also choose to hang out in the library during lunch. It’s a fairly popular spot during lunch for a lot of students.
The librarian does an excellent job in helping students find books that interest them. As an English teacher, I give my students time in class to read each day, and I let them choose any book that they wish to read. For some students, finding a book that they will actually want to read during this time can be a challenge. The librarian helps them locate books by asking them questions and recommending several options to students.
Collections
While Strasburg High School is located in a rural, conservative community, the librarian has a very diverse collection of books for students to read. There are several displays currently in the library: one showcases books that tackle the topic of mental health or mindfulness, another highlights books for Women’s History Month, and yet another shows some recently challenged/banned books.
In addition to these displays, books that are new to the library are also displayed.
As pictured above, just from a cursory glance it is obvious that there are a lot of diverse options available to students. One that specifically catches my eye in this picture is Felix Ever After, which is about a black, trans teen. There are a couple students in this school that are trans, and as usual the librarian does all she can do to bring in books that students can identify with.
In addition, there are book collections specifically for teachers, such as class book sets and professional development books for teachers to read.
Digital Access
The Strasburg High School library is a little dated (in the sense that some of the resources haven’t been updated since Covid), but it does give access to the library catalog [https://theshslibrary.wixsite.com/library]. Anyone, not just students or teachers, can access the library catalog from the website.
The site provides resources for both students and teachers, but it is designed more for students. For instance, the site provides research help to students as well as databases. Furthermore, it also used to list research links and help for specific teacher assignments (but, again, these need some updating). The databases are the most helpful, and it is something that I have had my own students use for a variety of purposes (research projects or analysis essays).
Other / Final Thoughts
While the Strasburg High School Library website was a little disappointing, this library does a good job aligning with the needs of teachers, students, and the county as a whole. There is a huge focus on being a resource for student academic success, and it is something that I think this library does well (if teachers reach out for the resources).
I do wish the school could be updated a bit, but that is more related to county funding outside of the control of the school librarian. I know that high school libraries in neighboring counties have much nicer spaces, but Strasburg High School’s librarian makes the most of what is available.
Overall, it was good to spend some time in the library that is below me every day I am at work (my classroom is on the second floor). I have been in the library many, many times, but I have been viewing it with fresh eyes this semester.
References
Free, A. (2022, March 14). [Photograph of library space and seating]. Google Photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Dy2oJFBGUa85aBJ6
Free, A. (2022, March 14). [Photograph of puzzles in school library]. Google Photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Dy2oJFBGUa85aBJ6
Free, A. (2022, March 14). [Photograph of new book display]. Google Photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Dy2oJFBGUa85aBJ6
Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
Amy,
The librarian at Strasburg High School sounds pretty great. I loved reading that she will take the time to talk with individual students in order to help them find a book that would interest them. I know you mentioned that the school is small, but without an assistant the librarian must stay quite busy. It sounds like she is doing a good job managing things on her own!
I really like her a lot! As a classroom teacher at this school, she has been especially helpful and is always reaching out to teachers to seek out their needs. I’m sure she would like an assistant, but at least she can have the option of having student volunteers if she chooses to seek them out. It’s not exactly the same as an assistant, but it does help students be more involved with the library, and a lot of students seem to enjoy being “interns.”
I love your comment you are seeing the library at your school through fresh eyes. I think we are doing that. In my interview, the librarian talked about how we as librarians learn how to do more with less. It sounds like the Strasburg High School Library librarian is doing that. I also see where she has turned the library to “focus less on the collection and more on the learners. School librarians respond to each student’s learning style and background, encourage exploration and creation as well as information gathering, and promote critical thinking and openness to ideas” (Rubin & Rubin, 2020, p. 167). It sounds as if she tries to know her students and provide for them as best she can. The display you posted has quite a bit of diversity going on there. And it also sounds like her efforts have paid off in you know your students view the library as a safe space. I think that is very neat. I like she has the puzzles in there and has organized a book club, too.
Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
She really does know the students well and is able to build connections with some of them. To be honest, there are students in our school that make very negative comments, but the library is one place to show that every student is welcome, regardless of sexual orientation, identity, or ethnicity.
Despite being small, I enjoyed reading how Strasburg HS library meets the needs of its students and staff. I am continually impressed by how smaller libraries (school and otherwise) make the most of their space and resources. I found it especially resourceful that the library engages student interns to help with circulation, provides puzzles, and offers the library as an alternative lunch space. These are such great ways to connect with students.
Amy,
The painted ceiling tiles are a fun personalized addition to the space! It’s also great that the librarian is able to run a book club that students are engaging with. This is something that I hope to do in the future! What are some of the books you have seen the librarian use for the book club? Also, I just started putting puzzles out for students to work on intermittently. It’s amazing to me how many of our students will give up 15 minutes of their lunch time to come work on the puzzle! This truly seems to contribute to creating a safe and welcoming space for students.
The books that your librarian has featured in the new books section have also been popular in our library. Alan Gratz is a favorite amongst our military fiction lovers, and Fangirl is beloved amongst realistic fiction lovers! Felix Ever After is on my own personal TBR (to be read) list!
After looking at the school library’s website, I actually found a resource that I want to add to my own: the “What’s Next” database! I am forever frustrated by the fact that Destiny and Destiny Discover do not have the series number added into the record of a title. Numbering the series in our collection is our next big project.
Thanks for sharing your school’s library with us, Amy!
-Allison
I loved reading about your visit to the library in your school, how special to be able to look at the space through a new lens. I really appreciate that the librarian makes an effort to create a diverse collection despite being in a predominately conservative, rural area. I also grew up in a similar area and my school library was seriously lacking in diversity. Although that was many years ago, I still wish I had been exposed to more diversity and different types of books.
The decorated ceiling tiles, the comfortable furniture, and the puzzle set up on one of the desks really adds to the welcoming atmosphere. I am sure that students enjoy being in this space that the librarian has created for them.