The library is a beloved place for many, and out of everyone at Shorewood, Ms. Workman plays the biggest part in keeping it welcoming, helpful, and well-stocked. She has been Shorewood’s main librarian for three years. Some students might remember her from Parkwood, where she also worked. “I have always been a library girl. My mom used to take me to the library when I was little and I’ve always been a reader. I started out wanting to be a history teacher but I worked really closely with a high school librarian and I just fell in love with what she was doing and thought that would be awesome- I could still teach but be in the library. So I changed paths and decided to do that!” Ms. Workman said.
“I love being surrounded by knowledge. I love young adult literature, I just love the stories and the characters,” Ms. Workman said. As for her current favorite book-“I just finished this duology by Rebecca Ross, it’s called “Divine Rivals” and “Ruthless Vows” and it is so cool. It’s a historical fiction mashed up with mythology…and there’s a bit of a very beautiful romance in it as well,” she said.
If you want to check out a book, the library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on any regular school day, although it closes at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. There’s no limit to the number of books you can check out, and no late fines. If you have an overdue book, bring it in as soon as you can, but you won’t be charged. “Check out any time. We love suggestions, you can put books on hold…we can get books from other libraries, even the public library,” Ms. Workman said.
Besides the wide range of graphic novels, nonfiction, and fiction books available, you can also find books for classes. “If you have a book overdue but you need to check one out for a class please still come see us because that’s always the precedent; if you need something for a class I want you to be able to have it,” Ms. Workman said. Just keep in mind that in general, having overdue books may prevent you from checking out more until you return them.
But students might not know that the library isn’t all books. “We do a lot of social-emotional things- we have legos you can play with, a puzzle table, a Lite-Brite, we have a game library, we have chargers you can check out…we’re literally here to help and support students and staff any way that they need,” Ms. Workman said. Whether you’ve come to read a book, play a game, or are just looking for a safe and quiet place, the library is there for you.
You’ve probably gone down to the library a time or two for a co-teaching class. The glass box is often filled with students learning about topics like research or writing. Non-academic events are also held in the library, including author visits and talks. Upcoming events include a visit from C.A. Fletcher, who is the author of “A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World”. “It’s a beautiful dystopian novel. He’s going to Zoom in from England,” Ms. Workman said. Keep an eye out for the date! The library will also soon have a visit from Diana Ma, author of “Heiress Apparently”, as well as a Spring Break reading challenge in April.
If you enter the library during lunch, there’s a good chance that a club is happening there. Every day but Wednesday, the library hosts a wide range of clubs open to all students. Mondays have Book Club and East African Club, Tuesdays have Chess Club and Black Student Union (BSU), Thursdays host Film Club, and Fridays have Scuffle Club (playing video games). If any of these clubs sound interesting to you, talk to Ms. Workman for more information. It’s always a good idea to join a club for more experience, fun, and friends, and you can join at any time.
Struggling with a class? The library hosts tutors who are there to help you. “We have NHS [National Honors Society] Tutoring on Tuesdays during SAS and Wednesdays after school. Hopefully, we’ll continue that program throughout the years- you can just drop in for tutoring; we have all subjects available,” Ms. Workman said. Anyone can come- just grab a SAS pass and head to the library.
“We’re a community space, we have a lot of outside community members that come use this space and we really work on providing a safe space for students,” Ms. Workman said. “I love being around students who love the library, especially at Shorewood. I like it because I’m a constant in a student’s high school career and I enjoy being able to support teachers and students,” she said.
