Stuarts Draft High School

Space & Physical Access

Stuarts Draft High School is located in Augusta County Virginia. The library is located in the central hub of the school. It has glass windows that completely surround the library which look out into the hallways so that all can see in and see out. There are 2 entry ways so that students can access from the math hallway and also the social studies hallways. The library is one space with 4 walls. There is a tiny room in the corner that is used for in school suspensions. I have been working in this school for 3 years and luckily my classroom is located right beside the library. The entire school is one level so there is easy access to the cozy library. This school serves around 700 students so the school itself is quite small.

The library offers many seating options. There are tables with chairs for groupwork. There are comfortable seating areas. These comfortable seating areas are the go to space for students during classes. There are desktop computer for students to use as well as a printer that students can utilize as well. The library contains the only printer in the school where students have the print option. Throughout the entire library are pieces of art that have been created by Stuarts Draft High School Students.

Services & Intellectual Access

The library does not provide any special services. Our school librarian works in english classrooms at the beginning of each year to help with research, citing sources, summarizing and plagiarism. Prior to covid there were visitors from a fellow public library that would promote partnerships within the systems.

 

Patrons & Staff

The patrons who utilize this library are students as well as faculty. If you would walk past the library in the mornings you would see that the entire space is almost filled. Most all students find the library a safe space and I am always amazed at how many students choose the library as their hangout. During the school day you would find students who are looking for a quiet space to study. I often have students request to go to the library to work. During classes you will find students in the in school suspension room which the librarians maintain and also virtual virginia students who are taking classes not offered through our high school.

There is one school librarian who is a male and has been our school librarian for 8 years. There is also a female library assistant who works in the library. I love the comraderie that these 2 members of our staff have created. Most all the time there are staff members in the library before school and during their planning. Our librarians have created a team players approach. They are so helpful as resources and most days a listening ear. Our librarians supply us with coffee and snacks on a daily basis. Our librarians are in charge of ordering media for the school and also handle all of the amazon ordering. Due to the teacher and sub shortage there are times that our library is used as a space to cover classes.

Collections

The school library has a diverse group of books, magazines, newspapers, and desktops. The main focus throughout our library and school are the chromebooks. There are multiple media resources for teachers and students to checkout. These range from VR equipment, cameras, projectors, to robotics. Integrating technology tends to be the focus of our library. Since our school chromebooks have arrived the desktop computer stations have shortened.

There is always a collection of new arrivals and also a collection of whatever the monthly topic of interest would be.

Digital Access

Here is a direct link to the Stuarts Draft High School website: https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/o/sdhs/page/library. Due to privacy within our school system there is no social media connections. There is free guest wifi throughout the entire school and parking lots. Each of our students have a chromebook and the library is responsible for all chromebooks. The librarian is the first stop in troubleshooting chromebook issues.

Our school librarian is not listed on the school website, however, there is a reference to him in the opening statement. The librarian is listed on our school website under faculty. There is not a chat feature, however, most students reach out to the library via email with questions. On the library webpage you can get immediate access to gale ebooks and databases. There is a catalog listed through destiny on the library site.

One of the main focuses of the SDHS school library is the integration of 1-1 chromebooks.  The SDHS Library handles the administration of all chromebooks as well as loaner chromebooks and troubleshooting.  From our text Rubin says “  Information technologies must be appropriately integrated and equitably available:  School libraries help bridge social and economic divides by providien equitable access to technologies and by helping learned develop proficiency in their use”  (2020, p. 123).  By this description the  SDHS Library surely does initiate information technologies.  

Other/Final Thoughts

I was somewhat disappointed in the Stuarts Draft High School Library website. I honestly had not accessed it until this project. A chat icon and library email would be my first suggestion along with a finite link to the catalog. It is labeled Destiny who provides access but students would not know what Destiny is.

My classes this semester have surely sparked interest in what our school library could be. I have always had a focus on the school library track. It felt like home to walk back into our school library after visiting so many lately.

References:  

Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.