One of the most used, and peaceful rooms at Broad Run is the library. Inside you can find shelves filled with books from top to bottom, the math lab that’s always busy, and many seats with students. The library gives out a comfortable and calm environment where students can do work at their own pace, access various resources and enjoy their time in a calm area.
From the morning till the moment school ends, the library is very busy. It wouldn’t be as it is if it weren’t for the librarians, they arrange, decorate and supervise around the area. They interact with students all day responding to their needs and spend all their time around books making them aware of the activities going on around the library. So, I interviewed Ms. Gray, one of the librarians, to discuss her thoughts.
Ms. Gray says, “I think the library is very helpful. If anybody needs anything we drag them to the right place and help them out with reader advisory…It’s a great resource because we have so many books but we also have other resources too. Whatever it is, fill in the blank and we always seem to have it.” As you sit at the library and observe, there always seems to be students coming in and out of the door with something in need. Accessing the resource is always easier with the librarians help, they play a big role in our school.
There are always a good amount of students staying at the library. It’s known that the library doesn’t only have books but also other resources that students have access to, curious in how much do students actually use them, she mentioned an estimated number. “We get kids in here everyday, so we’re getting a fair amount of students, we get like 30 students a day, [as per] the math lab, it’s always busy, there’s always 10-12 people in a block… Any given day, there’s gonna be about 10-12 people really doing work, and probably the other ones are just goofing off.” Sometimes students just go to the library to hangout with friends instead of staying in their study hall classes or escape the noise from the cafeteria. It may or may not help them do their work, but it is definitely more fun. Students are embraced and comfortable in that space anytime.
Now that we’ve heard from the librarian, let’s go in depth of the students’ view.
It’s quite common to see some classes take place in the area as well, the library is a big space where teachers conduct events for students. In terms of personal use, most students definitely don’t stay at the library. Although, those who do stay to do work, they do it hoping to stay with the accompaniment of their peers instead of acquaintances. In terms of resources, the library has loads of books in any genre. All students borrow books for the purpose of reading for fun. Asides from books, the Tech HQ and Math Lab are the other two main ones. Students don’t go to the tech HQ, maybe only if they need to, meanwhile the results for the use of the Math Lab are equal, they either go or don’t go.
A part of my form is asking students what resources the library offers that they know, as shown not everyone is familiar with all of it. Ms Gray mentions, “We have a 3d printer and people don’t seem to use it. It doesn’t seem to be much of a thing here.” The 3d printer is definitely overlooked, it may be because students just don’t need to print anything with it for their classes. Same goes with Periodicals and Ebooks, they also aren’t well known, students aren’t interested with their purpose especially in this generation knowing that there are other sources to gather information seen in these resources.
(survey conducted to study broad run students data)
The library is a great source and place and it will only continue to be better. Based on the analytics from both the side of the librarians and the students, it’s a very useful place to have around the school. It provides a pleasant ambiance that isn’t like any other around the school. Doing work in a space like the library helps students get comfortable, work on their own paces, and pushes concentration which helps with productivity.
