About Us
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 13,000 books for students to use in course assignments as well as to read for personal interest and pleasure.
The library website provides access to numerous excellent online subscription databases, the library's online catalog, and a variety services to support student research and college preparation. Passwords to electronic resources can be obtained in the library. 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 decided to make the city her home. When she’s not in the library teaching research lessons or helping students find their next favorite book, she likes to read, bake desserts, and find new ways to incorporate bacon into every meal.
Dana Gauthier, Library Teacher
Ms. Gauthier (or Ms. G) grew up in Concord, Massachusetts and always wanted to be a teacher, but also spent time as a cheerleader, lacrosse player, and theater nerd. After seventeen years of teaching ELA in Acton, Concord, and at CRLS, Ms. G made the leap to the library this year! She is super excited for this new role at CRLS. As a Cambridge resident at CRLS parent, she cares deeply about the importance of student voice and agency in the school community.
Ms. G loves to read (an essential librarian quality), especially YA fiction, so just ask her if you need good recommendations! She also spends a lot of time walking her THREE dogs around Cambridge (say hello if you see them!), watching complicated and dark tv shows, and hanging out with her family. A perennial student, she is also working on her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science through the University of Alabama. Stop by the library to say hello!
Melissa Maldonado, Library Assistant
Ms. Maldonado grew up in a small Texas town on the US Mexico Border and spent her high school years playing tennis, plotting ways to leave Texas, and crushing on a boy in AP Chemistry class. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she spent her early career working on The Hill as a Congressional Legislative Assistant and developing alumni and philanthropy programming for SEO (Seizing Every Opportunity) in New York City. Ms. Maldonado is currently pursuing an Information and Library Science Master's Degree at Simmons University.
In her spare time, Ms. Maldonado volunteers as NEADS puppy raiser for service dogs in training. She is also an avid photographer with a focus on medium format black and white portrait photography and digital high school sports photography. An obsessive cook and baker, Ms. Maldonado has cooked/baked her way through Pati's Mexican Kitchen by Pati Jinich and Dorrie's Cookies by Dorie Greenspan.
Ms. Maldonado lives in Cambridge with her husband (the boy from AP Chem), her 3 sons, and Shadow. Shadow, her 90 lb Goldador, is working hard to become an influencer and you can check out his Insta (@goldador_shadow).
