MASA Feature Swan Valley High School Library Service By Kay Wejrowski Our library is the busiest place in the school. Long before the first bell chimes the official start of class, students can be found clustered in the library receiving help from service agents—other students. We are seeing technology and education transform to inquiry-based problem-solving focused on real-world learning. In the midst of this change, our library has evolved into a center where the students serve as engineers, mentors, and tutors. On the first day of school, all new freshmen come to the library to check out a book. Media studies students are the first to greet the incoming freshmen, assisting with book selection and checking out. In subsequent weeks, these same mentors hold small-group discussions and Q&A sessions where ninth-graders are able to identify with upperclassmen and partner with them. This sends a strong message about the importance of literacy. When declining funding eliminated preschool buses to our local public library, our high school library created a young children’s section. Twice a week the high school media students teach literacy lessons to three- and four-year-olds, integrating stories, crafts, technology, music, and dance into literacy lessons. When senior citizens call to inquire about classes for using their computers or 28 MASA LEADER • Spring 2016 iPads, the students set up free lessons in our media center. When a grant and bond issue provided us the opportunity to purchase an iPad for every student in our district, our library and student leaders developed a management plan for maintaining fully functioning technology. The iPad repair team, comprised of student technology mavericks who thrive on challenge, assess damages, or order parts—and replace screens and digitizers, cameras, and headphone jacks, often with same-day or next-day efficiency. The students on our team are as unique as the students they serve. They are writers, artists, athletes, and techies. Some are chair bound, and others are singers and dancers. Some have unlimited resources, while others have financial need. But they all have one thing in common: They’re willing to help. They understand what it means to overcome obstacles, and how important it is to have a place to belong—a place where, no matter what you need, someone will be there to assist. The structure of our program promotes literacy while addressing technology, mentoring to freshmen and new students, assisting in the classroom, and modeling digital citizenship. The library also serves as a think tank for issues that arise. When the water in a city not 50 miles from ours became unsafe to drink, groups gathered in the library to come up with a plan to help. After a series of tragic deaths from traffic accidents plagued our community, our library implemented a safe driving
MASA Leader - Sprin 2016
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