Library A Week

Mahomet-Seymour High School Library

2010 no. 39

Library Profile

Library Name: Mahomet-Seymour High School Library (JTN) Location: 302 West State Street, Mahomet, IL 61853 Type: School Mission:We are eager to provide the tools and services to our students to help insure they will become effective communicators, productive citizens, and life-long learners. This is a learning center in which information access, critical analysis, creative thinking, and collaborative projects can flourish. Website: http://www.ms.k12.il.us/mshs/library/mshslib.htm LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/jtn.html Member Since: 1984 An interview with Librarian, Lu Welch

What is unique about your library?

We are a public high school located 9 miles west of Champaign-Urbana with about 900 students - freshmen through seniors. We attempt to be "atypical" by striving to draw from all stratas of students- those academically inclined, those who aren't, and everyone in-between. We recognize the importance of information literacy and reading as critical elements for all of our students and staff to become effective citizens throughout their lifetimes. We make every effort to be welcoming, friendly, and helpful. Students particularly appreciate our casual seating areas - complete with comfy couches, chairs, and even a coffee table constructed by students - purposely made for putting their feet up! Free candy is also available every Friday....accompanied by a different special  message “to think about” each week.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our goal is to serve and educate our students and faculty so that they not only have access to the best possible information but also have every skill-set and opportunity to be creative contributors to their personal and society’s betterment.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We are continually working with staff members on developing cross-curricular projects and offer the appropriate services needed to successfully complete these projects...this oftentimes includes teaching information literacy skills and literally co-teaching classes. We have participated in on-campus events such as Shakesfest and Bulldog Pride. We also offer “Brown Bag” in-service training for our staff.  We collaborate with our public library, particularly with teen outreach efforts. In addition, our staff has presented seminars at GSLIS events and ISLMA conferences....in an effort to share ideas as well as learn to adapt new ideas to our own campus. Additionally, we are participating in the “University of Illinois Youth Literature Festival” by hosting a guest author/storyteller, Dan Keding, in October.

Tell us a story about your library.

We hold a number of special events throughout the school year, including activities for Teen Read Week, Read Across America, Poetry Month, and National Library Month. Some additional events include: an annual Paper Airplane Flying Contest, Poster PPF Contest, Semester Finals Open House Receptions, and a variety of library/literature/research contests. Perhaps our most popular event is our Café Bibliotec. These are all-day events that include the entire student body. The library is transformed using a theme and students and staff informally share their poetry, literature readings, and music. We also provide in-service training for our staff at Brown Bag events. These informal lunch-time instructional sessions typically center around helping teachers use our online resources and technical equipment.

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

First, library staff!  Our students and staff are our first priority, but (as is true of many libraries) we are understaffed - so it is difficult to manage all of the "behind-the-scenes" work, as well. Second, dedicated regularly scheduled class time to teach our information literacy curriculum. Third, additional online and print resources. Fourth, space.  Because we are physically in the middle of the building, we have expansion issues. As our school population has grown, we are limited in how many people we can accommodate at any one time. Having a variety of spaces with different functionalities (silent, noisy, tables, lecture, computer areas etc.) would better serve our students.

What is popular in your library?

"Open" times before school.....Many students gather in the library each day to finish projects, study, and simply quietly socialize. Special events and contests.....Our students have rediscovered Dr. Seuss and expanded on their exploration of his less popular writings, so Read Across America has become a popular library event in our school. We adapt this event to fit teenagers by offering appropriate displays and contests, creating a different video featuring C-U personalities reading, and an all-school Sustained Silent Reading event. Our “Café Bibliotecs” are also popular annual events.

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

We have developed a library website with links to our online databases and other resources within our district, as we as the C-U community, communicate with parents through a print and electronic newsletter, have electronic access to all the district’s school libraries, and operate an in-school networked television system.

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