My name is Marlene Damery, and I am the Library Media Specialist here at Highbridge Hill Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve the youth from Greenville and New Ipswich, and I am excited to begin my 12th year in this wonderful district.

The library is a place where students can explore and enjoy reading. Each year, over 14,000 books are checked out, and it's clear that our students love visiting the library! My goal is to create a library program that encourages all students to read by offering them a variety of choices in what they want to explore.

In our library, we will focus on reading picture books and introducing children to a wide variety of texts. Students enjoy discussing the stories, sharing their observations, and making personal connections to the material. This engagement with literature is vital for developing their critical thinking skills.

One of our exciting projects this year is participating in the NH Ladybug Picture Book Award. Students will read and discuss a selection of books nominated by New Hampshire children's librarians, and then they will vote for their favorite. This not only fosters a love of reading but also teaches students about making informed choices.

Students will also learn important skills such as responsibility in caring for books. They will also expand their exposure to different genres, including animal fiction, sports, nonfiction, and graphic novels.

As part of this year’s library program, I will incorporate learning about searching for information and using reference tools. Students will begin to develop skills in research, including how to conduct keyword searches to find the information they need. These skills will be invaluable as they progress in their education.

This year promises to be exciting as our library program becomes part of the Unified Arts rotation. We are all looking forward to spending more time in the library and fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning!