Library Launch: The Future of SHS Library

Talk about the policies in the Scituate High School library has surely come up once or twice in any student’s career. Whether you forgot to get a pass, need to print a paper last minute, or simply need a break from the stressful classroom environment, entering the library has become an unnecessary hassle.

In addition, the library staff doesn’t seem to be using its enormous space to the best of its ability. With so much potential, the library’s future is bright with the right application. This is why the idea of transforming the space came up in recent discussions with Mr. Wargo, as he disclosed his ideas for the forthcoming hub of Scituate High School.

Keeping the library for it’s old-school original purposes — such as checking out books and working in silence —  may be all some students need for their educational journey. However, Mr. Wargo described a new plan for the library that will cover a variety of needs for students and staff looking to utilize the library. These will incorporate the current perks of a traditional library while providing additional benefits for anyone looking to use it for updated purposes: “We’re shifting to a media center. It’s a cross between a student union and a quiet space for reference,” according to Wargo.

Wargo wants a space for students to “chill,” get work done, and collaborate with others for educational purposes. “We’re in the process of hiring a new media specialist,” he said. A media specialist would be technology-savvy and able to assist students with their research needs within the library or online databases.

Perhaps one of the many inspirations for this technology shift is Shrewsbury High School, which has noticed a significant increase in their database usage since the opening of their media center. According to Emily Bredberg, media specialist at Shrewsbury Public High School, Gale Databases have reached views as high as 75,001 this year alone — on top of an all time high of 52,000 views on their media center website. Since the creation of their media center, Shrewsbury High has seen trends in students’ application of knowledge through database usage, a tool that most students will need to know for college.

A media center at SHS will not only increase students’ ability to access databases, but it will spark their interest in research-based knowledge. It seems like SHS library is in for some big changes in the near future. These changes will strive to merge the benefits of individualism and teamwork within the student body.