Hundreds of students walk past the empty school library each day, a desolate reminder of the abrupt end to an essential service at most schools. MHS has not had a librarian since the previous one resigned at the end of last school year. However, even without a librarian, the school must find a way to reopen the library as soon as possible, as it is indispensable to the growth of student self-sufficiency and collaboration on campus.
Because the library has been closed, students have missed access to the most fundamental educational service a library provides: books. Previous librarians did an excellent job updating the shelves with relevant, interesting titles. These books now sit untouched in the unused library, and students are missing out on significant learning opportunities. As MHS focuses on socio-emotional learning and wellness, the unmatched stress-reducing benefits of reading must be considered, according to the National Endowment for the Arts in an article titled “Why it Pays To Read”.
Furthermore, the library’s physical space should be available for students. Students would benefit from a quiet place to study before and after school as well as at lunch. Reservable study rooms allow students to collaborate on projects and to study together. Simply having the space for students to maximize their time at school or stay warm and read without relying on their teacher’s classrooms would significantly improve student learning and mental health on campus.
The library’s closure is as much a disservice to the student population as it is unprecedented. Even during distance learning, the library’s website remained a constant source of support to students, offering extensive research and college prep databases, online tutoring, and e-book services. While these services are all still offered, many students have yet to be connected, as with the closure of the library, communication on student resources was also terminated.
In addition, the printers in the library improve student productivity and convenience. Currently, many students ask their teachers to print their assignments; teachers should not have to do this extra job. In a school with over 3,000 students, the loss of resources once readily available has not only placed the burden on teachers but also done away with the student agency and self-sufficiency a library could promote.
Of course, with a nationwide shortage of teachers, it may be difficult to find a librarian, but this is no excuse for keeping the library closed. When it rains, the administration opens the doors to the library so long as a teacher monitors the students inside. Perhaps, this same solution can be implemented during lunch and before and after school. Just as teachers are paid to conduct lunch monitoring, some can open and monitor the library for student use.
Learning, empowerment, collaboration, innovation, and respect are some of our school’s core values. Reopening the campus library reopens an essential resource for all of MHS.