Here is what is up in the SHR Library!
It’s Library
Book Roundup!
All books due to the library on
Tuesday, May 28th
Email Ms. Smyth with any questions
Library Book Roundup May 2023
It is that time of year! All books need to be returned to the SHR library on or before May 28th. There are NO overdue fines, but students are responsible for lost or damaged books. Letters will be sent home with replacement costs. Talk to Ms. Smyth if you have an issue!
True Blue May 2023
Sometimes you just can't think of what you want to read. You can browse the shelves until you are BLUE in the face. You draw a blank and need some inspiration. Out of the BLUE, you see a book display. Like a bolt from the BLUE, you see your book. Our latest coffee tabletop display is filled with books that BLUE us away. Check them out!
Jewish American Heritage Month May 2023
In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May to be Jewish American Heritage Month. According to JAHM, "Each May, hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds join together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day. "
SHR Library gathered books by and about Jewish Americans to participate. With antisemitism on the rise, sharing the stories of Jewish Americans is all the more important. Our book display makes it easy for students to discover these stories for themselves.
Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month May 2024
The SHR library acknowledged and celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by offering a book display of "great reads." In 1977, the first ten days in May were proclaimed to be Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. Across America, the contibutions and acievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander are honored.
Fiction books authored by Asian/Pacific Islander authors and/or featuring Asian/Pacific Islander characteres as well as non-fiction and biographies about notable Asian/Pacific Islanders and events are on display. See the "Diverse Representation: Asians" booklist for more reading ideas.
Would YOU?! April 2024
Check out the newest coffee table book display of books from the I Survived historical adventure series. Always popular, these books have reached new heights with graphic novel and Spanish language versions. All versions are thrilling reads with lots of suspense and twists.
Stop by the library to choose a book and find out: "Would you survive?"
Arab American Heritage Month April 2024
In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, the SHR library is featuring a display of fiction and non-fiction books. National Arab American Heritage Month was first declared by President Biden in 2022.
By highlighting books by and about people from Arabian countries, we can offer SHR students "windows and mirrors." Windows are books that offer "a view" of life for non-Arab Americans; for people of Arab heritage, the book is a mirror that reflect their own life and experience.
These books can help SHR students understand themselves and the wider world. See the "Diverse Representation: Arab" booklist for more reading ideas.
GSA@Your Library April 2024
The GSA Club organized SHR's Day of Silence and invited the SRH community to participate. Day of Silence is "GLSEN's annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students." The library is the traditional place for SHR participants to gather and to break their day-long silence together. The library's button maker was used to create pin-back buttons for the occasion. It was also the place where participants met to share a potluck Rai nbow Lunch, while continuing to observing silence. Over 60 students took part in the event and demonstrated their support of LGTBQ+ people. See the "LGBTQ titles" booklist for reading ideas.
Poetry Month April 2024
April is Poetry Month. SHR library highlighted works of poetry from the library collection, including verse novels. Verse novels tell a story poem by poem instead of chapter by chaper.
Reading poetry and verse novels inspires the poet in everyone. They are also a "quick read" for busy students. Studies show that reading poety provides many benefits, such as "positive short and long-term mood changes as well as behavioral effects in school and work performance." Poetry helps to reduce stress and anxiety, build empathy, increse memory, and support phyical health.
Stop by to check out the selections until the end of April and dive into POERTY!
Coffee Table Displays March 2024
SHR Library's coffee tables offer small displays on a variety of topics and formats. The high-traffic location makes it easy to notice and browse. This month Mental Health and Graphic Non-Fiction books were highlighted. These high-interest subject displays featured many titles that were new to SHR.
Books For the Foodies! March 2024
Food, food, FOOD! Lots of us have an interest in food...growing or raising it, making it, eating it. This display was for the foodies. The SHR food display highlighted both fiction and non-fiction books— including graphic works and Spanish-language books—with a connection to food. Tasty stories, cookbooks, and more circulated to students and staff hungry for their next great read! See the "Foodies" booklist for more reading ideas.
Woman's History Month March 2024
Each March, Women's History Month celebrates the contributions of women. This celebration overlaps with International Women's Day and grew out of a local Women's history Week celebrated in California in 1978. In 1980, President Carter designated March 8th to be National Women's Histoy Week. By 1987, this became Women's History Month.
SHR offered a book display featuring books that highlight the impact of women on histoy.
Snow Many Books! Feb. 2024
A perfect winter activity? Reading, of course!!
Curl up with a warm beverage and a great book...and who cares if it is cold outside?! Now that's a perfect, cozy day. Thank you to the Library Squad, our student volunteers, for the cheerful winter library decor.
Need help finding your perfect read? Ask the librarian, Ms. Smyth, for a recommendation, browse the displays, or use a Resource List to find your perfect match. Happy reading!
Black History Month Feb. 2024
To celebrate "Black History Month," a selection of books were featured at the library entrance. The display also included fiction by Black authors in order to amplify Black voices. This national celebration has deep roots, beginning with efforts by historian Carter G. Woodson, who founded an organization to research and spotlighting African American life, achievements, and history. By 1926, a week was set aside in February to celebrate African American history. In 1976, President Ford designated February "Black History Month." Since then, it has been an annual national celebration. See the "Diverse Representation: Black/African-American" booklist for more reading ideas.
Books to Love! Feb. 2024
Romance novels were displayed on the library's coffee table in celebration of Valentines Day.
For thoses not feeling lovey-dovey, an "anti-Valentines Day" display sat alongside on the other coffee table. See the "Rom-Coms" booklist for more reading ideas.
They are all pretty sweet reads!
Book Displays Jan. 2024
Book displays can spark new borrowing choices and encourage book browsing. Some suspense and dystopian novels were highlighted this month. Both are popular subgenres. The SHR library also recieved and processed some new books, which were showcased at the library entrance. Happy reading!
Genre Mix-up Dec. 2023
The SHR Library is genrified, meaning fiction books are sorted and shelved by genre. This means, mysteries are placed togerther, sports fiction are grouped, and so on. Genrefying makes browsing for books a bit easier for students. Studies show that is results in increased check outs and that students prefer this organization system. But, some books crossover into more than one genre. Romance, one of SHR's most popular genres, is often a component of books that are classified in another genre. This most recent display presents selections that have a dash of romance! See the "Romances in Other Genres " booklist for more reading ideas.
New Books on Display Dec. 2023
The SHR library recieved and processed some new books. They are now on display for students and staff. Happy reading!
Books on the Holocaust Nov. 2023
South Hunterdon Middle School students will have a virtual program on the Holocaust on Wednesday, November 8th to remember the pogrom in Germany that took place November 9th and 10th of 1938. Mark Schonwetter (www.mshefoundation.org) will share his harrowing story of his survival, recounting how he, along with his sister and their mother, managed to live in hiding in Poland and survive the Holocaust.
Students interested in learning more about the Holocaust, including the story of survivors, resisters, and rescuers, may browse a library coffee table top display. See the "Holocaust Fiction & Non-Fiction" booklist for more reading ideas.
KNOWvember Nov. 2023
The SHR library has lots of high-interest non-fiction, for students who prefer the facts. KNOWvember gives us a chance to turn the spotlight on some great informational reads.
Native American Heritage Month Nov. 2023
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the SHR library is featuring a display of fiction and non-fiction books. By highlighting books by and about Native Americans, we can offer SHR students "windows and mirrors." Windows are books that offer "a view" of indigenous life for non-Native Americans; for Native Americans, the book is a mirror that reflect their own life and experience.
These books can help SHR students understand themselves and the wider world. See the "Diverse Rep: Indigenous" booklist for more reading ideas.
Read Native Stories JPEG.pdf
Scary Reads Oct. 2023
In the Lambertville area, October means Halloween! The SHR Library set out multiple book displays with suggestions for students who want to get into the Halloween SPIRIT! Read one if you dare!! See the "Vampires", "Werewolves" and "Ghost Stories" booklists for more reading ideas.
Back to Library Sept. 2023
It is back to school time, and the library is ready to welcome students and staff with great reads! New books, including fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels/non-fiction, are on display to give students ideas for their next reading selection. Hispanic Hertitage Month is being celebrated with a display of books by Latinx authors and books in Spanish. The new "Rainbow Library" is on one of our coffee table display areas, along with new Quick Reads picks (shorter books for emerging or busy readers). Classes have been visiting the library, with time and support for selecting an independent reading book. Looks like it is going to be a GREAT year!
Go Figure: Art in the Library May 2023
Come to the library to check out a student mini art exhibition. Students from the Art I classes shared their most recent work with the South community. Mrs. Stevens set the task for the class: create a figure or set of figures that tell a story. This art project, "Go Figure," resulted in a wide range of imaganive works! Here are a few examples.
Jewish American Heritage Month May 2023
In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May to be Jewish American Heritage Month. According to JAHM, "During May 2023, hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds are joining together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day." SHR Library gathered books by and about Jewish Americans to participate. With antisemitism on the rise, sharing the stories of Jewish Americans is all the more important. Our book display makes it easy for students to discover these stories for themselves.
Asian America, Pacific Islander Heritage Month May 2023
The SHR library acknowledged and celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by offering a book display of "great reads." In 1977, the first ten days in May were proclaimed to be Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. Across America, the contibutions and acievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander are honored. Fiction books were selected which are written by Asian/Pacific Islander authors and/or feature Asian/Pacific Islander characteres. Non-fiction and biographies about notable Asian/Pacific Islanders and events are also on display.
Poetry Month April 2023
April is Poetry Month. SHR library highlighted works of poetry from the library collection, including verse novels. Verse novels tell a story poem by poem instead of chapter by chaper.
Reading poetry and verse novels inspires the poet in everyone. They are also a "quick read" for busy students. Studies show that reading poety provides many benefits, such as "positive short and long-term mood changes as well as behavioral effects in school and work performance." Poetry helps to reduce stress and anxiety, build empathy, increse memory, and support phyical health.
Rainbow Lunch April 2023
The library hosted a GSA Club meeting and RAINBOW potluck lunch organized by club advisor Ms. Damron. The event featurered guests from PowerBack. They spoke on the importance of developing healthy relationships. This talk explained what an unhealthy relationship looks like, as well as how to avoid and cope with one.
According to Love is Respect, "One in three adolescents in the U.S. will be the victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner." LGBTQ+ students are just as vulneralbe! But, knowledge is power, and a supportive community is strength.
Manga Meetup March 2023
Middle and high school manga fans gathered for a "Manga Meetup," a time to share all things manga. Book recommendations were shared, manga themed buttons were made, and an episode of Naruto anime was screened. Naruto is one of SHR's latest manga series; we have volumes 1-27, thanks to generous community support for our Manga Makes Readers! DonorsChoose grant. Many manga fans were introduced to the book genre through their love of anime, Japanese animated movies and series.
GSA@Your Library March 2023
The GSA Club met in the library to prepare for the Day of Silence in April. Day of Silence is "GLSEN's annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students." The library is the traditional place for SHR participants to gather and to break their day-long silence together. Library Squad members were on hand to assist with pin-back button making.
For "The Last of Us" Fans! March 2023
Everyone is talking about the HBO series The Last of Us. In a new twist, the dystopian world depicted in this show is triggered by a fungus. For students who are intrigued by the post-apocalyptic story-telling, own latest mini-book display has a few suggestions!
SHR ❤ Manga Feb. 2023
The SHR Library celebrated St. Valentine's Day with a manga-themed event: Manga is My Crush. ❤ Manga and anime fans gathered to preview the new books and watch anime previews of the new series, like Naruto, Spy X Family, Blue Lock, and Mob Psycho 100, Given, and more.
The word is...it was TRUE LOVE! Ms. Smyth & Mrs. Cathcart acted as matchmakers, and students met their next big read. The students also got to make recommendations to each other and suggest new titles for the library. Isn't love grand?!
Donors Choose Grant for New Manga Series Feb. 2023
SHR Library received a $959 grant from DonorsChoose for the purchase of manga book series: Manga Makes Readers! This was a true student-suggested and student-approved project: our biggest manga readers serve as Ms. Smyth's manga advisors and helped select these books. Special thanks to Tobias Zacapala-Lopez for his hard work and fantastic suggestions! Way to "Work Hard, and Be Kind," Tobi!
Manga are Japanese-style graphic novels that usually read right to left and back to front, and are instantly recognizable by their trademark look and often exaggerated emotions. They cover all genres--sci-fi, humor, adventure, romance--and are exciting, engaging, and a quick read. This makes them perfect for busy students.
SHR fans of manga gobble up stand-alone works, but they especially love manga series. Series can be quite long...some run to 20, 30, or more books. It can be tough to purchase complete runs. But the demand is there! In fact, we can't keep up. That is why we so appreciate the community support for this purchase!
BSU Book Display Feb. 2023
To honor Black history month, South's new club, the Black Student Union, celebrated in the library. The BSU members met to curate a selection of books that highlight black history. Their selections also included fiction by Black authors in order to amplify Black voices. Thank you to the BSU members and their club advisor, Ms. Brown, for this wonderful collaboration!
Final Global Mural on Display Jan. 2023
SHR library once again participated in the Global Traveling Mural Project. Schools across the world team up to create group murals, with 1,000s of students of all ages participating. The SHR library organized the creation of a mural in honor of the Shad Festival. The SHR Library Squad members painted a river background, and Middle & High School students colored a fish to contribute to SHR’s mural.
The next step was to cut our mural into ten sections and mail nine to our group's other mural-makers. The swaps have been made with schools across the country including Missouri, South Carolina, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, and New Hampshire. And now, the completed mural is on display in the library. Ms. Walker, school librarian at Maercker Intermediate School in Westmont, IL, emailed to say that her students "not only love the mural, they are also super excited to see that it’s made by high school students! Your students did an amazing job." Please stop by the library to check it out!
Yoga@YourLibrary Jan. 2023
Twenty-five students and staff took time for self-care in the library. Yoga instructor Alison Belli, from One Voice of Hunterdon County, presented a special hour-long program, "Music: the Bridge to the Mind/Body Connection." Ms. Belli began by discussing the connection between music and mood, and offered tips for self-regulating mood. She then led everyone through a yoga session, all to the tune of a custom playlist, made from song suggestions submitted by participants. After a wonderful session, everyone shared a meal, courtesy of One Voice of Hunterdon County. Shout out to Library Squad members for helping with set up and reception for the event: Anthony, Briana, Irene, Iris, Mackenzie, and Yesinia! Thanks, Rehz, for set-up help!
Thrills & Twists Jan. 2023
Our new mini-display highlights books with more going on beneath the surface than you think! Across several genres--supernatural, mystery, sci-fi, horror, realistic fiction --all assumptions and senses are challenged. Happy reading!
Reading Contest Dec. 2022
Students and staff got into the holiday spirit with a reading contest in the library. The "Selfie with the Elfie" contest was simple: snap a photo of you, your fav book, and Will Ferrell's Buddy the elf, from the movie Elf. Winner's were randomly selected, and 10 won Dunkin Donut gift cards and other prizes. Happy reading!
Crafternoon Dec. 2022
The SHR Library is getting in to the holiday spirit! December "Crafternoon" was a whirl of snowflake making and decorating. Kids had fun, relaxed, and unplugged. Doesn't the library look festive?
Games in the Library Dec. 2022
TableTop Game Club (formerly Dungeons & Dragons Club) began the 2022-23 school season in December. Members meet to play Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, chess, and other card and board games. To kick off the year, club members and Library Squad members offered a tutorial during House on how to play chess. Ms. Smyth also wrote a DonorsChoose grant to purchase additional games and chess time clocks. So, let the games begin!!
Open to all middle and high school students, the Tabletop Game Club meets in the library every Friday during House and two Mondays a month, from 3 to 5 pm. Interested students can talk with Ms. Smyth or Mrs. Cathcart to get details and to be added to the club's Google Classroom.
Tabletop Game Club Flyer (1) (2).pdf
"They're Creepy and They're Kooky" Dec. 2022
Everyone at South is watching Wednesday, a modern reimagining "The Addams Family." Created by New Jersey's own, cartoonist Charles Addams, from Westfield, NJ, the Addams family has been depicted in numerous cartoons, TV series, toys, and movies. This recent streaming series version has everyone wild for Wednesday! Our book display offers reading suggestions for fans.
Book Grant Dec. 2022
A mini-display was created to highlight titles gifted to the library through DonorsChoose. The grant, "A Library Book for Every Student", allowed the purchase of some new titles and the replacement of some lost books. DonorsChoose is an amazing website where individuals can contribute to public schools. It is secure and trustworthy...and directly helps our students! Check out past SHR Library projects. And, thanks for the continued support!!
KNOWvember Nov. 2022
Our mini book display--KNOWvember--highlights interesting non-fiction.
Group Mural Nov. 2022
SHR library is once again participating in the Global Traveling Mural Project. Schools across the world team up to create group murals, with 1,000s of students of all ages participating.
The SHR library organized the creation of a mural in honor of the Shad Festival. The SHR Library Squad members painted a river background, and Middle & High School students colored a fish to contribute to SHR’s mural. For now, it is on display in the H-wing hall, just outside of Mrs. Steven's art classroom. The mural will soon be divided and mailed to other schools around the country. As pieces arrive at SHR from other schools, a new, group mural will be created and displayed in the library. Please stop by to check it out in December!
Taylor Swift or Sylvia Plath? Nov. 2022
A new "current music-maker vs. esteemed poet" bulletin board is now on display. These interactive bulletin boards highlight the work of noted poets and "test" students on their "pop chops" and poetry knowledge. "Taylor Swift or Sylvia Plath" replaces "Harry Styles or Emily Dickinson." Students have been enjoying the challenge, as they learn while making comparisons and connections to familiar popular songs.
Native American Heritage Month Nov. 2022
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the SHR library is featuring a display of fiction and non-fiction books. By highlighting books by and about Native Americans, we can offer SHR students "windows and mirrors." Windows are books that offer "a view" of indigenous life for non-Native Americans; for Native Americans, the book is a mirror that reflect their own life and experience. These books can help SHR students understand themselves and the wider world.
Football Play Book Nov. 2022
Fall is here and that means football fever has hit South. Perfect time for a display of SHR Library's fabulous football fiction and informative football non-fiction!
GO EAGLES!!!
Halloween Read Aloud Oct. 2022
The annual library Halloween Read Aloud is back! This year, a suspenseful story, "The Hitchhiker," from Anthony Horowitz's More Horowitz Horror, was performed by teachers Ms. Brown, Mr. Hall, Mrs. Hart, Mr. Vergalito, and Mr. Vorgity. Mr Chan and Mr. Gardnier provided sound effects. Middle school students gathered to hear the scary story. A shout out to Library Squad members Irene, Iris, Yesenia, and Jake for help setting up and running the program! And a BIG thank you to our special teacher performers!!
Crafternoon Oct. 2022
We had our first "Crafternoon" event, using the crafting supplies from the DonorsChoose "Unplug & CREATE in the Library!" grant. We will offer Crafternoon monthly, as an opportunity for our students to be creative and to have some mindful relaxation. This month's Crafternoon project was creating colorful leaves using diffusing paper sprayed water, and bleeding art tissue. Our student volunteers, the "Library Squad," lead the event, demonstrating the process. The high school and middle school participants enjoyed it immensely! The final products were used to decorate the library entrance doors, with a welcoming and inviting fall theme. Students are already asking about our next Crafternoon event!
Halloween Reads! Oct. 2022
The Lambertville area is famous for its love of Halloween, and SHR students can get in the spirit with a good horror or supernatural book. Displays were created featuring witch stories, ghost stories, and all-around terrifying tales. READ if you DARE!
BookTok Sept. 2022
You may have heard of TikTok, an app for sharing videos that has become a social media sensation, one especially popular with teens. But, what is BookTok? BookTok is a part of TikTok which is devoted to books...book reviews, recommendations, and discussions. Readers and authors post videos about specific titles, favorite genres, and more. According to Anna Garrison of Distractify, "If you search the #BookTok hashtag on TikTok, there are currently over 29.1 billion views for videos about reading, recommending, and reviewing books." Over 29.1 BILLION views?! That's a lot of book talking! Our newest mini-display is a selection of books currently trending on BookTok. SHR library LOVES the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity found in BookTok. Our display has already put books into the hands of SHR readers!
Banned Book Week Sept. 2022
Banned Book Week, September 18 -24, celebrates and recognizes our right to read. Each year, since 1982, Banned Book Week hopes to bring awareness to book challenges faced by school libraries, public libraries, and book stores. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks challenges and maintains a list of "Top 10 Most Challenged Books" and "Frequently Challenged Books, " some of which might be surprising! Our coffee table display raises awareness of this issue and encourages students to appreciate their right to read!
Welcome Back! A New School Year Begins! Aug. 2022
Students returned to school, and the library was ready to welcome them. Book displays highlighted new books, graphic novels, and dystopian book selections. Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15) was celebrated with a display of books by Latinx authors and Spanish-language books. Bulletin boards were prepared and the book shelves were set up to highlight choices. The Miss DeLuca's 7th graders came in to "meet" their new library, take a genre personality quiz, and select a book. Mr. Gardiner's classes came in for a tour and book selection, too. Ms. Feeney's 8th grade classes visited for a refresher and to choice their independent reading book. Ms. Damron's 10th grader English classes also came in to learn some catalog hacks for finding the perfect book for classroom independent reading. Mr. Gardiner's English classes and Mrs. Hart's classes came in for a tour and book selection, too. During House/Lunch, it was great to see students settling in for some reading time!
Stock Up on Summer Reads!! June 2022
Summertime, and the readin' is easy!! SHR students may borrow up to 5 books over the summer. Make sure your account is clear (no overdue books), and have a guardian fill out the Summer Borrowing Permission Form. Then, come stock up on some good books! Ms. Smyth and Mrs. Cathcart have plenty of recommendations! Or, check out the reading lists in the catalog "Resource List" section for great suggestions on many topics and interests!
"Unplug & CREATE in the Library!" Grant Funded!! May 2022
A DonorsChoose project was funded in one day, thanks to support from the community and a matching gift in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day! "Unplug & CREATE in the Library!" allowed us to purchase traditional hands-on arts & crafts so that students can “unplug” and take a mindful moment in the library. We will launch monthly "Crafternoons" during House next school year.
Fundraiser for Ukrainian Refugees May 2022
The Library Squad, the student library volunteers and ambassadors, worked with other SHR students to raise $365 to support the work of World Central Kitchen. This organization provides meals during crises, and is on the ground feeding Ukrainian refugees and those in need in the Ukraine. Students created and sold pin-back buttons to raise money. Our brand new button maker machine was funded through the generous support of the Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF). Our sister library, The Lambertville Free Public Library, and the Kalmia Club both joined this effort and hosted donation jugs. A true community effort to help those in need!
LAEF Grant Funds Pinback Button Machine! Feb. 2022
Our brand new button maker machine was funded through the generous support of the Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF). This grant launched with co-sponsored projects with GSA and Library Squad, the student library volunteers. The first project was creating pronoun buttons. This ensured students and staff a chance to be heard and to support others in their expression of gender identity. The second project was a button and button bookmark week, crafts that promotes self-expression and a mindful break from tech and school pressures. This button-making week coincided with Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day, so many students made gifts to celebrate. Thank you, LAEF, for your continued support of the SHR Library and all students and staff at SHR!!
Book Displays, Door and Window Decorations Highlights For 2021-22
Celebrating Black History Month in February with an array of titles. Suggested books include ones by black authors, about black characters, biographies, and non-fiction.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with a selection of books by and about Latinx people in September.
Books for National Poetry Month, April
SHR's Own Wordle: eWordle!! April 2022
SHR's own eagleWordle can be found on the library's bulletin board, daily announcements, on the TV screen by the main office and on the SHR library's website. Library Squad members Nathaniel and Dylan created and posting eagleWordles every Tuesday & Thursday April and May, with library-themed words. Missed one? They are ALL posted on the website!
Read With a Friend Contest Jan.-Feb.
The Library Squad hosted a "Read With a Friend" contest, with prizes including books signed by authors and D&D gift cards. Students picked a book, and read it with a friend or family member...at the same time. All who registered received a bag of goodies, including a make-your-own origami bookmark, delivered to their English class!
Spanish-language Books Added Through Grant Nov.-Dec. 2021
A DonorsChoose grant was successfully submitted to purchase 49 Spanish and bilingual books. The grant, "Spanish Language Library Books," raised $806 through the support of 17 community gifts and a match from DonorsChoose. The books consisted of popular fiction titles such as Buscando a Alaska (Looking for Alaska), La Casa en Mango Street (The House on Mango Street), Pocho (Mexican Whiteboy), and La Selección (The Selection); graphic novels, including El Club De Las Baby-sitters (The Baby-sitters Club), Agallas (Guts), and Fútbol Extremo (Soccer Switch); and non-fiction like the cookbook Dulce sin culpa (Sinless Sweets), En el país que amamos : mi familia dividida (In the Country We Love: My Family Divided), Stamped: el Racismo, el Antirracismo y Tú (Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You), and Voces Sin Fronteras: Our Stories, Our Truth. This addition increase SHR Library's Spanish-Language collection by 56%! Buzz was been positive, and circulation was up, up, up! Once the DonorsChoose books were added to the library collection, borrowing of Spanish-language genre subcategory went from 13th place out of 17 genres to 5th place out of 17 genres! The added titles definity had a tremendous, positive impact that was measurable. We are so grateful for the support!
StoryCorps "The Great Thanksgiving Listen Project'' Nov. 2021
SHR Library and the Library Squad shared StoryCorps' "The Great Thanksgiving Listen Project'' with the SHR School Community. Students were encouraged to record conversations with family members during Thanksgiving. Thanks to English teacher Ms. Haber for encouraging her classes to participate!
StoryCorps creates opportunities for everyone to have meaningful conversations that can be uploaded to the Library of Congress’ archives to help individuals preserve their unique voices and become part of history!
Halloween Read Aloud Goes Virtual! Oct. 2021
This year, the Library's annual Halloween Read Aloud went virtual! The Drama students recorded creepy stories, complete with sound effects and an original musical score! Students were invited to listen during House, to get into the Halloween mood!! Or, listen on their own...IF THEY DARED!! Links to the sound files were posted on the SHR Library Website. The listening window was Wednesday, Oct. 27th, to Friday, Oct. 29th. The drama students presented the stories again, during Festival of the Arts in April, complete with a creepy listening station. Thanks, Ms. Damron, for making this events truly creeptastic!!
The Cast: Michayla Barbosa, Brianna Garcia, Kalle Morgan, JJ Nabinger, Alexa Tettemer, Kaylyn Trivino
Original Music Composed by: Iggy Mokriski
