GHS Library is Not the Library You Remember

When you step into the library at Glasgow High School, you can tell immediately that it's different than the library you remember. For one thing, and likely the most noticeable, it's not quiet. It's not raucous by any means, but still, nobody is being shushed.

The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. Students and staff are scattered about the room – either in groups or in areas by themselves. Discussions are taking place and at times friends call out to each other across the room. In the short time I was there, students and faculty both filtered in and out of the library – some with purpose, others just drifting through on their way to somewhere else. Arguably, this library is the heart of GHS.

Coordinating the whole thing is Library Media Specialist, Heather Zeller. Zeller has been the librarian for three years now, although she has been an educator for 16 years. Her goal is for the library to be a gathering place for learning, interacting, sharing, and creating. "There is such a stigma attached to libraries. People associate them with being stuffy with a lot of shushing going on. I'm trying to change that perception," said Zeller.

Since transitioning into her new role, Zeller has incorporated several changes in the library, and she's looking to make more. With the help of two grants (GHS Educational Trust and James Patterson), Zeller was able to purchase a device charging station, flooring, and furniture. Included in the furniture purchase were two white-board tables with chairs. The user can write directly on the table top with markers that easily erase. Zeller said both students and faculty love them and she plans on adding more of them to the area.

Zeller was also recently able to purchase card games, board games, and educational games with a generous gift from the Soroptomists in Glasgow. She would like to add more games and software to the library – including games like Minecraft which is popular with students.

Along with the new furniture and other additions, Zeller has set up computers in the library with Rosetta Stone language software so students can learn Spanish and French. She also recently purchased a sewing machine for students to use. When I questioned Mrs. Zeller about how she decides what to make available to the students, she replied simply, "I ask them."

After talking with Zeller, it is apparent to me that she is very enthusiastic about improving the library for the students at GHS. Of course, funding is the biggest, if not the only roadblock. According to Zeller, her budget, which she uses to purchase supplies, books, periodicals, and cataloging software, was recently cut by more than half. Her budget is also used to provide the iPad carts and iPads that the school is now using. One cart with 40 iPads costs $17,000. Teachers and students use the iPads for numerous applications, including some classroom materials.

Now, Zeller has set her sights on completing Makerspaces in the library. Makerspaces are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn. Zeller further explains that she wants the space to be used for students to work on projects or assignments at their own pace, or for students to collaborate on a project together, or just a place for them to gather before classes start in the morning if they'd like.

Ebooks and Kindles are also on the library's wish list to purchase in the future. An ebook is an electronic version of a printed book that can be read on a computer or handheld device designed specifically for this purpose, and according to Zeller, those are the only books that some libraries have available for checkout. At this time, students are able to check out ebooks from the City-County Library using their GHS library card.

The third thing Zeller wants to bring to her library is a coffee shop area for the students. "I love it when the kids can come in here in the morning and drink their coffee and hang out before school," she explains. "I want to create a space for them that is welcoming."

To fund the projects on her list (she estimates the coffee shop will cost $2000 or more), Zeller plans on applying for grants and utilizing other community resources as much as possible. "I'm still learning how to write grants and I have found out that you have to be very detailed," she explained, "but really, it's the only way I can accomplish what I want to do in here."

The school board and administration have been encouraging of Zeller and her endeavors. "They trust me to do what I need to do," she said. "They have been so supportive." The community can be assured that Zeller will continue to expand the resources available to the students of GHS and that the library will continue evolving into a space the students will look forward to using.