Library A Week

Edison Middle School Library

2010 no. 17

Library Profile

Library Name: Edison Middle School Library (YLE) Location: 306 W. Green, Champaign, IL 61820 Type: School Mission: The mission of the Champaign Unit #4 School District, in partnership with the community, is to guide all students in gaining knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to direct their lives, improve a diverse society, and excel in a changing world by providing dynamic, resource-rich learning environments and experiences in which people and lifelong learning are valued. Library Website: http://www.champaignschools.org LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/yln.html LTLS Member Since: 1986   An interview with Librarian, Debbie Smith.

What is unique about your library?

Edison Middle School is a historic building with many vintage features in our library. The library has a large 4’ by 20’ Depression Era mural on the back wall depicting early life in Champaign County. We have had several visitors come to see the mural. Many of these Depression Era murals have been lost as buildings are torn down. When our students study the Great Depression we can tie the mural into the curriculum and explain why these murals were painted and what their significance is.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Overall, we want the library to be used. We want students to come in and check out books and have the library be a central part of learning here. For many of our new students, this may be the first time they have had the need to find a specific book in the library for a project. Another one of our goals is to help students learn to use the online catalog to find those books they specifically need. We want to support the classroom as well as the recreational needs of our students.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

I work primarily with the reading and language arts teachers on research projects with the students. In addition, I do book talks and pull books on the subjects being studied in classes. I also work with the Champaign Public Library to obtain materials that teachers and students may need that we do not have. Betsy Su, the Champaign Public Library YA librarian, has also helped us host author visits which are very popular with the students and faculty. I put links to resources up on our library website to help teachers and students with research. We are not online with LTLS, but do frequently use interlibrary loan.

Tell us a story about your library.

We have quite a few students who come here from other countries. Some of these students are non-English speaking and have had little or no experience using a public or school library. It is great to be a part of that first library experience for them and helping them learn to use the library.

If money were no object, what services would you add?

It would be great to have new furniture in the library - our tables and chairs have seen many decades of use. I would also like to add more comfy type seating to help make the library more welcoming. I would also put more money into collection development and expansion. I’d like to have more current fiction, up to date non-fiction, and more graphic novels. If money were no object, I would also have more author visits because the students really enjoy them.

What is popular in your library?

Anything to do with vampires or scary stories is always popular. The graphic novels are favorites with many students. Both realistic fiction and sci-fi fantasy circulate very well here, also. Recently many movie adaptations have come out and have created renewed interest in those books and series.

How does your library use online tools to connect to your users?

We have a website and I do my best to keep it up to date and relevant. We have an in-house online catalog called Info Center. Our students also have access to Flip Video cameras through their classroom teachers.

Request a visit to your library If you would like to set up a special date for us to visit your library contact LTLS Consultant Michelle Ralston Library of the Week is published by Lincoln Trail Libraries System, 1704 W. Interstate Dr., Champaign, IL 61822 217-352-0047  -   ltls@lincolntrail.info Executive Director: Jan Ison, Editorial and Design Team: Michelle Ralston and David Lottes