Link for the library catalog:

https://norfolkacademy.libguides.com/battenlibrary

The website for Batten Library at Norfolk Academy was very easy to navigate.  This library serves the Upper School which is grades 7-12. There is a huge focus on research and learning how to research responsibly.  There are links on the main page for research projects that are completed in each year of upper school.  Once you click on the link, there are additional links to Academic databases and journals that are recommended by one of the two librarians that are listed on the main page.  There is a link for A-Z databases, many of which we use in our college studies.  The students have access to eBooks and Noodle tools which help them to navigate research for different subjects.  I was not able to access the Noodle Tools because I needed a login, but it looks to be a great tool for the students to use.  There is a link for streaming videos where students can watch documentaries, interviews, or news programs. I could search the catalog and see what books were available or if they needed to be added to a waitlist.

The library is located on the campus of Norfolk Academy.  The Batten Library is located toward the back of the campus near the tennis courts in the picture.    I was not able to visit this library in person due to it being closed for the summer, but I was able to speak with the librarian about the space.  The building is large and spacious and has many study stations, study rooms and places for the students to network.  There is Wi-Fi throughout the campus for the student to use as well as computers, but each student has a Chromebook to use for classwork.  A handicapped ramp is available as well as an elevator for students with physical disabilities.

Most of the library home page is dedicated to different research projects that each student must complete in specific grades.  There is also an option to take part in a Renaissance readers program.  There are specific requirements based around reading but once completed, the student gets the designation as a Renaissance Scholar.  

This library primarily serves the teachers, staff and students in the Upper school, grades 7-12.  There are 2 librarians for the Upper school and 2 librarians for the lower school.  There is a completely different library for the lower school with serves K-6^th grade.  I looked through pictures on social media and the student body and staff seem to be very diverse.  It is an expensive school to attend so it would not be accessible to many families in Hampton Roads.   From the catalog, it looks like the library is organized by the Dewey Decimal system, then by authors last name for fiction books. 

The website has a link for #BookTock which are books that have been popular on TikTok, a popular social media application. There are book lists recommended by each librarian and popular topics you can choose and see books that fall into that category.  It surprised me the amount of adult fiction titles were in the catalog, many of which were included in the Renaissance Reading list. 

I was surprised by the collegiate level databases that are available for the students to use.  It is impressive how they are grooming these students to use higher level thinking and research at a young age.