Mounds of books located all along four walls, their covers sharing a bit of what’s inside. It is a safe community to read and study. The South library offers students a range of flexibility and comfort, allowing for important resources and a book for everyone.
All libraries have books that can be checked out and borrowed, but our library is so much more than a couple of books lining a shelf, it’s a place where students can come to study, do research and enjoy the quiet, welcoming environment. Courtney Johnson, the librarian, has witnessed the change and fluctuation of different students and books, along with the innovation of technology as a part of the school library.
“I graduated from South in ’94 and started working in the library in 2007,” Johnson said. “When I started, lab four had a secretary and a full room of DVDs and VHS tapes. Where the books are now, there were mostly reference textbooks for research.”
With such a vast collection of books at South, genres range from Sci-fi, to Dystopian and to graphic novels. Although some may think not many students have been checking out books within the past few years, Johnson argues that the new phone policy may be influencing students’ reading routine.
“I feel that kids are checking out more books lately this year and I think it is because phones are not allowed in the classrooms anymore,” Johnson said. “Just this year I have noticed an uptick, not because of a classroom assignment, but kids coming down to grab a book to read in their free time.”
Students like Sloane Rosati ’27, recognize that the library may be a nice place to pick up a book, but it is also a location where after school learning can take place.
“I like how there is flexible seating, like the tables or couches,” Rosati said. “The lab rooms are nice too because they are more private. I feel like the setup of the library is a perfect ratio between tables and chairs to be comfortable for work.”
As technology continues to improve, students can gain their own access to a wide variety of books. Online reading has been easier and Rosati stated that resources such as Kindle or other reading apps have proven to be helpful and could be a possible future factor to less people in the library. Elle Petz ’26, another student who enjoys the library’s environment, notes on how the layout and resources has helped her work on school projects and how she has noticed an influx in attendance.
“I think a lot of people are coming in their free time,” Petz said. “I think people go more for research and I know a handful of people who enjoy checking out books there. The library is very useful and the atmosphere is welcoming and flexible with Ms. Johnson there to help.”
