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By Ryan Lew
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Oct. 22, 2003 |
Two grants will enable the school to begin a long-awaited refurbishment of the library in June and offer a series of educational workshops to teach faculty members to use new online databases.
A $20,000 grant from the Parent Teacher Student Association will be used to replace the library's aging carpeting and purchase new furniture, according to librarian Linda Guitron.
The librarians will consider suggestions from administrators, teachers and students before renovation.
"The library welcomes student and faculty input to help our staff and the PTSA make decisions," Guitron said. "Our goal is to make the library a more comfortable and relaxing place for students and teachers to study and work."
Students displayed mixed reactions at the refurbishment project.
"The carpet is a depressing sight when you walk into the library," junior John Hsieh said. When you just look around, you see gouges everywhere, and the floor feels more like sandpaper than anything else."
However, sophomore Hezekiel Randolph disagreed that the library was in need of repair. "Although the carpeting is not in perfect condition, the school could really use the money elsewhere," he said.
With support of the school district through a Title V grant, librarians plan to hold workshops on Feb. 20, March 6 and March 20 to teach interested faculty members how to use the online databases Newsbank, Sirs and ABC-CLIO. The grant will also pay teachers extended hours to attend.
"Not only will these workshops teach finer training in computer skills, but they will help improve the research process for teachers and students," librarian Alison Shepard said.
The librarians held their first workshop on Feb. 6.
"It was very well-organized and very helpful," said English teacher Jeanne Gallo, who attended the workshop. "It's important for teachers to be knowledgeable in what we want our students to understand."
Shepard added that the librarians plans to offer reading strategies workshops in spring. "With our literary program, the workshops will help teachers learn different strategies to help students improve their reading skills." |
