Library A Week

Urbana High School Library

2011 no. 6

Library Profile

Library Name: Urbana High School Library Location: 1002 S. Race, Urbana, IL Type: School Mission: Gladly would we learn and gladly teach. Website: http://www.usd116.org/uhs/library LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/jun.html Member Since: 1982 An interview with Matthew Murrey.

What is unique about your library?

The space of the library is unique and interesting. We are on the third floor and our space has the roof of the old gym. It is a very open space, which lets me see what is going on. Some students complain about the stairs to get to the library, but it doesn’t seem to keep them away.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our goal is to support the teaching efforts of our teachers, the academic growth of students and to foster curiosity and a love for reading in all patrons.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

I always try to advertise teen events at the public library, such as; the Manga Club and Girl Talk. I work with teachers all year. The teacher takes the lead, but I provide resources in both print and digital forms for the subject they are teaching. We will be doing a collaborative unit on the science of Natural Disasters soon and a collaborative unit on Lesson Before Dying with pre-reading study topics.

Tell us a story about your library.

The library is a very popular place at lunch. Many students spend their free time in the library. It is not all reading and research and that is okay! I am glad that the students feel comfortable enough to come hang out in the library. I put books out on the tables that I think the students might be interested in and hope that sometimes it helps people to find a book. Last year I received a very nice letter from several lunchtime students thanking me for allowing them to hang out and apologizing if they were too loud.

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

It would be most beneficial to add another fulltime librarian. It would allow us to do classroom visits to assist with IT issues, do more one-on-one assists with students in the library and add flexibility and creativity. We could also do overlapping hours to create far greater after-school scheduling.

What is popular in your library?

The internet of course! Graphic novels and drawing books are heavily used. Many kinds of fiction, especially various series such as Twilight and House of Night, Kimani Tru, and Drama High are very popular as well.

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

We have a website that students can use to access our catalog, subscription databases, class project pages, and other online information.  We promote these resources whenever possible, and provide instruction on their use for both students and staff.  On our website, visitors can take a virtual tour by clicking on our Flickr page, and I've recently added a link to a blog where I post brief reviews of books I'm reading.

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  -   [email protected] Executive Director: Jan Ison, Editorial and Design Team: Michelle Ralston and David Lottes