Many students have encountered a locked library door this semester as a result of the absence of a full-time Teacher Librarian. Through the windows, the once widely used space is a darker, emptier version of itself, as it is open for fewer hours during the school day than it used to be.
Sophomore Gianluca Richmond said the library’s shortened hours have negatively affected the student body.
“[The library] has always been a good place to study and there aren’t other good options on campus where you can sit down inside and have quiet,” Richmond said.
According to a recent survey of 101 PHS students, 87 percent agree that the library is an important part of the PHS campus.
“[Limited open hours] might mess up people’s study habits,” Richmond said. “Before, when I [had] a big test, I [knew] I [could] go to sleep early and just study in the library.”
Teacher librarian Carolyn White primarily teaches at PMS, but recently she has been in the library on Thursday mornings, allowing it to stay open during that time.
“I’m seeing the kids who are getting to use the space, and it seems there are plenty who want to come in and use it as a quiet place, check out a book, or print something,” White said. “I can imagine that when there’s no one here, it’s frustrating not to have the space available.”
Senior Caitlin Boothby has a free fifth and seventh period. Her free fifth period becomes “awkward” when she wants to stay for lunch but doesn’t have the library as an option to study in.
“I just have to sit in the student center and do my work there, and it’s still quiet but it would be nice to be in the library around other people where we could all do our work together,” Boothby said.
Boothby said her favorite parts of the library were the friendly faces of former Teacher Librarian Kathryn Levenson, Media Technician Librarian Mx. Stahl, and their music playlists.
Levenson retired from her full-time position last year and nobody was hired to replace her, due to budget cuts.
White said that the PHS library is a very different library setting than the one at PMS.
“The [now] freshmen are used to a full library where a lot of teaching happens. [At PMS,] classes come in for research projects and book talks frequently,” White said. “[The PHS Library] is missing that piece that they were used to at the middle school.”
Boothby said the library’s closure means this year’s freshmen are entering high school without benefiting from the space and knowing what it used to offer.
“It’ll be quite hard for the freshmen because there’s not a designated space where they know they can work,” Boothby said. “I think freshmen will be missing out on a large part of our campus.”
