Embedded Files
September 2025
By Alice N. Johnson, Library Media Specialist | ajohnson@dedham.k12.ma.us
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 2:30pm | DHS Library Website
These trees are huge! I am standing inside the trunk of one of the many giant Sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park in California. They typically grow to 250-300 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide! Learn more at National Park Service: Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
From the Librarian
From the Librarian
Welcome! I am so happy to be back for another year at DHS and am looking forward to working with all of you: assisting you with your school projects and assignments, helping you find great books to read, supporting your technology needs, and providing you with a welcoming space within the school.
In July, my husband, sons, and I, took a family trip to California. We enjoyed relaxing in Santa Barbara, hiking in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and playing in Disneyland. I also spent a lot of time reading over the break (of course). Some of my summer favorites included The Princess of Las Vegas and The Jackal's Mistress, both by Chris Bohjalian, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew J. Sullivan, and The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. I'd love to hear about any great books you've read recently!
I am excited to welcome you to the DHS Library. I will continue to offer library programming with school-wide events like our annual Blind Date with a Book program and makerspace activities during X-Block but I'm always looking for new ideas. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
As a reminder, students are always welcome in the library; if you’re not sure about our sign-in procedures, or how to find library materials, just ask! Unfortunately, due to staff reductions, we no longer have a library assistant. This loss will result in some changes to library programming, services, and access. For example, the library will now be closed every day during first lunch.
I am very excited to see all of you and hope that you stop by to visit the library soon, if you haven’t done so already.
― Mrs. Johnson
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
― Haruki Murakami, Japanese Writer (1949- )
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
Many NEW BOOKS will be added to the library collection over the next few weeks. Stop by to see what's available.
Also, if there are books you are interested in having us purchase for the library, whether it is a topic, series, author, or a specific title, please let us know on our book suggestion form. We may not be able to get all the books that are suggested, but we appreciate your help in maintaining a selection of books that will be of interest to our school community!
eBooks, Audiobooks, & Digital Magazines through Sora
eBooks, Audiobooks, & Digital Magazines through Sora
-- Available to all DHS students & staff --
You can READ or LISTEN to books on your Chromebook, or on a personal device such as a phone or tablet. Use your school email account to log in to either the website or free app.
"If you have a book to read, you can visit some fascinating spot, you can fly off into the world of imagination, or you can meet new people..."
"If you have a book to read, you can visit some fascinating spot, you can fly off into the world of imagination, or you can meet new people..."
― Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States, diplomat, and activist (1884-1962)
Summer Reading Information
Summer Reading Information
Our schoolwide Summer Reading Book Discussions will take place on Friday, September 26. Watch for specific details in your school email as we get closer to that date. We will have 50 discussion groups representing 40 different books! It's exciting to know that the entire school will be talking about books and reading during that time.
Please see this website for details and resources related to summer reading. Students and staff will receive additional details, including the full schedule and classroom assignments, as we get closer to that date.
Until then, all students, including newly enrolled students, should take the following steps:
Please check this list to make sure you are aware of your summer reading book assignment.
If you do not have a book assignment next to your name, or your name is not listed, please check this list of available book groups and email your top three choices to Ms. Johnson. She will assign you to a book group once she receives your request. If she does not hear from you by Friday, September 19th, you will be assigned to a random book group.
Finally, if you have any specific questions or concerns regarding summer reading, please reach out to Ms. Johnson, Mr. Cavanuagh, or Ms. Cook so we can support you in this process
💗 Many thanks to all of our group leaders; their voluntary support is instrumental in making this program work.
I hope you enjoyed your summer reading book choice! Even though "summer reading" is almost over, I encourage you to try another book on our 2025 summer reading list for your independent reading this year. There are so many great choices. Get a recommendation from a friend about what they read over the summer. Try something new! Stop by the Library or contact Mrs. Johnson if you're interested in any of these books or need a suggestion on what to read next.
Makerspace Activities in the Library
Makerspace Activities in the Library
We aim to offer monthly makerspace activities in the library during Flex-block. Activities may include button-making, robotics, origami, duct-tape projects, knitting, and 3D printing. We are excited to continue offering and expanding these programs this year. Let me know if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see offered!
Stay tuned for sign-up information in upcoming newsletters and email.
National Hispanic Heritage Month - Library Resources
National Hispanic Heritage Month - Library Resources
"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. " (U.S. Census Bureau | National Hispanic Heritage Month)
Take a look below at some of the recommended library resources available to you.
Print Books
Print Books
DHS Library's collection of PRINT BOOKS for Hispanic Heritage Month - As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to direct you to some great books available through the DHS Library. These books are either written by, or about, Hispanic and Latino fictional or real characters. Stop by the library or contact us if you see something you would like to borrow.
eBooks & Audiobooks
eBooks & Audiobooks
MLS Sora eBOOK/AUDIOBOOKS collection for National Hispanic American Heritage Month (sign in with your school email address to view) - Our MLS Sora eBook subscription has a wonderful curated collection of ebooks & audiobooks for National Hispanic American Heritage Month. This list has been greatly expanded since last year and currently contains 497 ebooks & 177 audiobooks for grades PreK-12. DHS students and staff can borrow any of these resources by logging in with their school email address.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov - "The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society."
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from NYC Public Schools - Check out this great collection of resources available on the NYC Public Schools website.
MA Teen Choice Book Award
Vote for Your Favorite New YA Books!
MA Teen Choice Book Award
Vote for Your Favorite New YA Books!
Beginning on September 15 go online to vote for your favorite YA books from the past year! Twenty-one books have been nominated. Which one will win? Winning titles will be announced in October/November. There is no minimum number of nominated books that must be read -- teens (and only teens) can vote, even if you have only read one of these books!
📚The DHS Library has many of these titles available in print or if you're interested in an ebook or audiobook you can access a list of 2025 MTCBA Nominees on Sora (log in with your school email address).📚
The MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA), with support from Salem State University.
Follow on social media for voting updates
#MTCBA @MATeenBookAward
“Read widely, and without apology.
Read what you want to read, not what someone tells you you should read.”
― Joyce Carol Oates (American writer, 1938- )
Students! Families! Staff! We're Looking for Your Input!
Students! Families! Staff! We're Looking for Your Input!
We would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions about our library program and/or any suggestions on what we can offer, please let us know by completing the appropriate form.
I forgot my Chromebook . . . My Chromebook isn’t charged . . . Something isn’t working on my Chromebook . . . I can’t connect to the network / WiFi . . . I forgot my password . . .
Reminder: The DHS Library is your first stop for any technical problems.
Tech Support
Tech Support
Stop by the library to see Mrs. Johnson should you have any questions regarding your Chromebook, email, or other technology issues. If she cannot address the problem, she will contact the Technology Team. Below are some helpful reminders:
Be Prepared: Please make sure you bring your assigned Chromebook, fully charged, to school every day.
Return Borrowed Devices: The library has a limited number of Chromebooks available for temporary use if needed. Borrowed Chromebooks must be returned by the end of the school day! This simple action ensures a device is ready for the next student who needs it.
Repairs: If your Chromebook needs repair, please have bring it to the library. You will be provided with a Borrowed Chromebook and we'll email you as soon as your repaired device is ready for pick up. Please check your email regularly.
Replacement Chargers: If needed, replacement Chromebook chargers are available in the library for $20 (cash or check made out to Dedham Public Schools).
Mission
Mission
The mission of the Dedham Public School Library Media Centers is to empower students to become enthusiastic readers, information seekers, and creative problem solvers, prepared to participate in an evolving world. Through collaborative teaching, curriculum integration, and classroom support, we cultivate curious, independent, lifelong learners with the inquiry skills needed to be ethically responsible and successful in our global community. We equitably connect learners to diverse materials and learning opportunities in an environment that supports cooperation, collaboration, and a love of literature.
Page updated
Report abuse