Fall 2014

STRHS Library Newsletter

The Library Gets a Dramatic Facelift

Library Information:
Hours:
The Library is open
from 7:00am-4:00pm
Monday-Thursday
and 7:00am-3:00pm
Friday when school is
in session.
Library resources are
available 24/7 at

strhslibrary.blogspot.com

Staff:
Beth Yanuskiewicz
Library Teacher
Eileen Kleis
Library Assistant

Inside this issue:

Summer Reading
Winners

Author Chris Herren

visits STRSH

Fiction Book Separated by Genre

Get e-books from the

Boston Public Library

NHS Tutors

The STRHS Library in May 2014

What a difference a summer can

make! The library underwent a drastic renovation and it is better than
ever. There is a bright friendly envi-

The STRHS Library in November 2014

ronment here with lots of space for learning. You can see the full timeline of the
renovation here:
http://tiny.cc/strhslibraryrenovation

Library Hosts the Multi-genre Cafe

Mrs. Margiottas Speaking
Writing and Research
class held their Multigenre Caf in the Library
this year. The Multi-genre
project is a sustained research project that includes student produced
artifacts about a central
theme, issue, or topic.

work and demonstrate

their expertise.

This project give students

a unique opportunity to
delve in depth into a topic.
The caf allows students
to celebrate their hard

See a full slide show of

the Multi-genre projects on the STRHS
Library blog.

There were many outstanding projects this

year about a variety of
topics. Some topics
included The Simpsons, a history of Rap/
Hip-Hop, Tom Clancy,
and Adoption.

Mrs. Margiottas SWR class presents their Multi-genre projects,

STRHS Library Newsletter

Summer Reading Award Winners

It was another great year for the STRHS Summer Reading
project. Each year, all STRHS students read a book of their
choice and create a billboard to promote their books. There
are phenomenal projects completed every year, but only a
few win prizes. Students vote on their three favorites from
each homeroom. From there, students vote for their favorites
overall. The student who gets the most votes wins a Kindle!

Cuckoos Calling by
Robert Gailbraith. Billboard by Rachel G.

And once I
started talking
about it, I started
to heal.

This has been a great way to promote reading among teens.

Since every student gets to choose their own book, students
can discover the types of books they enjoy and share their
interests with others.
The Snowman by Jo
Nesbo. Billboard by
Brittany M.
Members of each class were recognized for
their outstanding billboards and three overall
winners were given prizes.
Congratulations to all!
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell.
Billboard by Tyler O.

-Chris Herren

Author Chris Herren comes to STRHS

Rams Read!

Page 2

Former NBA player and author Chris Herren spoke to

grades 8-12 at STRHS on November 24. Despite being an
excellent basketball player,
Herren struggled with addition
throughout his college and
professional career. Since
becoming sober in 2008. he
has toured the United States
speaking about his experience
with addiction and ways to
overcome it.

He spoke eloquently to the captive audience about prevention.

One of the ways he fell into addiction was through the seemingly harmless drinking and smoking in high school. He warned
the Southwick community about
the dangers of this behavior and
how it lead to his addiction.
You can read about his journey
in Basketball Junkie a signed
copy is in the STRHS Library.

The Fiction Books are Now Separated by Genre

Inside Story Headline

Along with the new look, the

librarys fiction books have been
genrefied. There are
ten genres historical
fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, classics, mystery, horror, graphic
novels, teen, and social issues. The latter
two are realistic ficThe fiction section of the library.
tion separated by age level.
Teen books are rated for grades 7
-10 while social issues geared
towards grades 10 and up.
The decision to separate the
books by genre was made to
make it easier for students to find
books that interest them. It also
make the experience more like
browsing in a book store. Thus

the library is much more

user friendly.
There has already
been an increase in
circulation since
this change has
been made. When
looking at the period between September 1st and
December 1st, 39%
more fiction books have
been checked out this year
compared to the same
time last year.
The feedback has been
largely positive. Students
have found it much easier
to find books they enjoy.

Get e-books from the Boston Public Library

Did you know that as a Massachusetts resident, you can get
access to the digital resources
of the Boston Public Library.
This includes e-books! Its
easy to sign up online, go to:
http://www.bpl.org/general/
circulation/ecards.htm
Your Boston Public Library ecard gives you access to digital
music, video, books, and reference sources.

Page 3

If you are using a Kindle Fire,

iPad, or Nook Color, simply
download the free OverDrive
app, enter your e-card number
and begin downloading books
right away.
If you are using an Kindle Paperwhite or older e-reader device, you may have to download the book to your computer
then transfer it to your device.
Need help? Ask a librarian!

When looking at the

period between
September 1st and
December 1st, 39%
more fiction books
have been checked out
this year compared to
the same time last
year.

STRHS Library Newsletter

STRHS Library
93 Feeding Hills Rd
Southwick, MA 01077

Mission Statement: To ensure that students are effective users and

Phone: 413-569-6171
Fax: 4135691723
E-mail:
byanuskiewicz@stgrsd.org

will be a safe comfortable environment where all learners will become

exemplary consumers and producers of 21st century knowledge and
skills.

producers of ideas and information.

Vision Statement: As the heart of the school community, the library

Visit us online:
http://strhslibrary@blogspot.com

NHS Tutors Available Before and After School

Dont forget about the
FREE tutoring available in
the library. The National
Honor Society is committed to serving the STRHS
community by offering
tutoring before and afterschool every school day.

Page 4

From 7:00-7:30am Monday

through Friday and 2:15-3:00pm
Monday through Thursday, a
member of NHS is available to
help you with any subject. Look
for the sign at the front of the
library.
There is no need to make an appointment just drop by if you
need help.