Libraries and schools have always been intertwined. Both exist for the sole purpose of spreading knowledge and educating the public. While teachers are actively recognized for their contribution to the teaching of the world, librarians have often been overlooked. As our school adapts to the new digital age, this is the first time in our school’s history without a librarian. 

When you think of a librarian, you probably picture an elderly woman surrounded by dusty books telling students to “shhhh.” However, in our school, librarians have been anything but that. They are vibrant educators who play a crucial role in pushing us forward deeper into the digital revolution instead of holding us back in time. As we navigate the vast digital world it’s easy to get lost and librarians can be the torch in the darkness, helping us find what we need. From organizing our digital resources to constantly updating our e-book selection, there is always something they are doing to make it easier to access the information we need.

These days we are bombarded with a constant flow of information and it is becoming harder and harder to discern what is a credible source and what is fake information. Librarians are key in this lesson. They can quickly tell the credibility of a source and even better – they organize it for us. Our resource hub is often taken for granted on Gryphon, but it is one of the biggest tools we are offered. All of the best research databases are nicely laid in one place, so it couldn’t be easier to research a topic. Librarians help students through the research process with anything from citation lessons to effective search strategies. This set of skills that librarians equip students with is just as useful outside of the classroom as inside. It prepares them to become informed members of society as they grow older who think critically about information presented to them.

A strong library program can also cultivate a love for reading that extends beyond the classroom. When students feel comfortable with a librarian who understands their interests and challenges, they are more likely to explore new genres and subjects. Students can go from reading only the required books for a class to lifelong readers if they establish strong reading habits now.

In the near future we will have to learn to function without a librarian overseeing our information resources. While it is unfortunate, we must find a way to keep pushing forward into new areas of innovation. Our administration is actively searching for a new candidate to lead our Wege Gebhardt Library. This means we will soon have a new librarian taking charge of our digital database. 

The school librarian is so much more than a keeper of the books today; rather, a mentor and a guide through times of great misinformation. A new librarian could bring fresh ideas, organize workshops, and continue to enhance our research tools. They can be a guide for us in everything from helping 6th graders check out books to giving recommendations to 8th graders to helping 12th graders find research papers.

While we await our new librarian, it’s important to reflect on their integral role in our school. Greenhills prepares us through rigorous tests and challenging coursework, but also stresses the importance of equipping us with the tools to thrive in the outside world.

Our school is a warm place full of friendly faces passing through the hallways. A librarian should be one of those friendly faces. A person who dedicates their time to helping guide us through the world of literature and technology simultaneously. As you go through your day and make use of all the resources Greenhills offers you, just remember in the back of your mind, all the people who made your life easier by giving you the tools to succeed.