About
Welcome to the Ainsworth Library!
We're located in the main building, on the west side of the third floor. Our library serves over 600 K-5 students in 25 classes across our two programs (English and Spanish Dual Language Immersion). Come in (when it's safe!) and explore our collection of over 16,000 print and digital titles in English and Spanish that keep Ainsworth students reading, researching, and engaged in a continuous cycle of learning. Learn more about how your library staff is currently supporting our community.
Our Mission
The Ainsworth Library program seeks to create an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment that inspires an enduring love of learning for all students by providing equitable access to information, teaching information literacy skills, and encouraging curiosity. The library media center strives to be a center of collaborative learning that prepares students to contribute as critical thinkers and respectful citizens of a diverse, multicultural and international community.
"School libraries are sacred magical spaces. They're places where you can feel safe to explore worlds different from your own. They're also a safe place to tackle tough questions about your own world. School libraries are essential and life-changing. They're places where every type of kid deserves to feel safe and welcomed." - Jasmine Warga
About our Staff
Aubrey Pagenstecher (she/her), aka Ms. Aubrey, is a certified Library Media Specialist/Teacher-Librarian. She is a graduate of PPS (Hayhurst, Gray, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School, where she met her partner) and mom of a future Vestal Viking. Before joining the Ainsworth community in 2020 and realizing a lifelong dream of becoming a children's librarian, she was a pre-K, K, and 1st grade teacher for 15 years in PPS. She has a B.S. in human development and family sciences from OSU, a M.Ed. from PSU, and a library media endorsement from Antioch University. When she's not reading board books with her toddler, she mostly reads the news, novels, and nonfiction including gardening websites and articles about making the world more just and inclusive for all. She has been known to dance awkwardly while re-shelving books (her least favorite library task). She works half-time: all day Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Linda Candello (she/her) is the Library Assistant. She raised two PPS graduates who are both in college now. She's an avid paper crafter and a fluent Spanish speaker. She plays the accordion, loves karaoke, and has not yet made it through an afternoon in the library without singing. She works half-time in the library and half time as an Educational assistant in the 2st grade DLI classes.
Do you have a question or suggestion? Send an email to apagenst@pps.net. She'd love to hear from you. And when it is safe to open the library to everyone again, we hope you'll stop by!
