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The Pearl K. Wise Library for CRLS students and faculty is a beautiful, welcoming learning center that can be used before, during, and after school. Online materials are available 24/7 from the library website. Extended hours after school allow students to check books in and out, finish homework on the computers, or just relax and read. A variety of print and electronic materials are available to support student learning, and help from the library staff is always available. The library collection contains over 8,000 books for students to use in course assignments as well as to read for personal interest and pleasure.
Library Teachers work with classroom teachers to provide students with instruction in utilizing library resources and navigating through the research process. All ninth graders receive an orientation to the resources and policies of the library.
To find out more about library media services in Cambridge Public Schools, visit the CPS Library Department webpage.
Emily Houston, Library Teacher
Ms. Houston grew up in Austin, Texas and spent most of her free time in high school dancing with the drill team and driving her minivan around town. After graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, she worked as an AM radio production assistant and hospital pharmacy technician, and then taught kindergarten and first grade for eight years in Houston and the Austin area.
Ms. Houston moved to Boston in 2011 to pursue her dream of becoming a librarian and earned her MS in Library and Information Science from Simmons. Shortly after being hired by CRLS, she realized how much she values the diverse voices in Cambridge and prefers working with high school students. When she’s not in the library teaching research lessons or helping students find their next favorite book, she likes to read, bake desserts, solve puzzles, and work in her garden.
Katherine Hancock, Library Teacher
The high school version of Ms. Hancock lived in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA where she spent lots of time reading, writing for the school ~newsmagazine~ and, randomly, volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium. Much to her dismay, she has few memories in her own high school library (?!). Following high school, she studied English at Rhodes College, did a semester-long backpacking trip in the Southwest, and completed a few AmeriCorps stints in Wyoming and Vermont.
After falling into an elementary librarian job in Newport, VT, Ms. Hancock realized that school librarianship was the path for her. She moved to Boston in 2022 to complete her MLIS and teacher certification at Simmons University. Since living in Boston, Ms. Hancock has worked in multiple public libraries and has taught in Brookline and Boston schools.
Ms. Hancock is so excited to work with the CRLS community to enhance learning, encourage lifelong reading, and create a positive environment for students.
Katheryn Prather, Library Assistant
Ms. Prather grew up not too far (depending on traffic) from Cambridge in Milton, MA and spent her time in high school writing poetry and making music with her friends. She traveled south for college to go to Emory University, where she focused on all things language by studying Creative Writing and Linguistics, sang in the gospel choir, and tutored at the writing center.
Now back in the Boston area, Ms. Prather is excited to get into librarianship by working with CRLS. She hopes to encourage students to discover what their best path is to become engaged readers and students. When she's not in the library or reading, you'll find her writing, watching D&D actual plays, or diligently following the NFL.
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