Library offers lots of learning

Oddly enough, the biggest room in Leesville Road High School is one of the most neglected. This aforementioned labyrinth of books and computers is more commonly known as the media center.

As I pushed past the turnstile, I saw Lynne Carroll, a select member of the librarian cast.

For my first question, I inquired whether she had intended to be a librarian her entire life; her answer was humbling.

“I’m not a librarian. I’m a media specialist,” she said.

Instantaneously, one of the most common misconceptions about the Leesville media center was dismissed. The library does in fact not have librarians.

Before I could spout out more questions, Carroll began with an interview of her own.

Before I knew it, I had shared how old I was, where I wanted to attend college, where my parents went to college and my future career plans.

And just like that, Carroll was off, speedily helping a teacher check out books for his class, scheduling a teacher to bring her class in on short-term notice and aiding a freshman with using the copy-machine for the first time.

I had never before realized just how much work the media specialists perform. The media center was extremely busy, and Carroll was working virtually alone.

“After all the budget cuts, we are short staffed frequently,” she said.

Noting the dedication Carroll had to the school, I decided to delve deeper into her personal life.

Carroll attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she received a teaching degree. However, there were no teaching jobs available, so the degree was never used.

Carroll admits that her favorite part about the school is the students. “I love being involved with them, and helping them. I love the high school atmosphere,” she added.

Finally, I decided to discuss the bad rap media specialists receive. When I asked what she thought about people claiming media specialists were mean, Carroll offered unique insight:

“We have to be rigid to keep the media center quiet. Many students are tired of being in school, so the media center is a welcoming place to them to get away from the activities of the day. Keeping the media center quiet makes that possible,” she said.

Not only does the library provide a haven for refuge-seeking students, it also gives an area dedicated to technology.

The library and computer labs have over 130 computers, all of which are fully operational with Internet access. This allows students to utilize the wide world of the web, researching any subject they find interesting.

The computers can be used if booked by teachers for class time, and they can also be used during lunch if students choose to stay on.

Computers are not the only fun thing the library has to offer. In fact, the Library boasts a wide selection of periodicals.An anonymous senior noted her experience: “I read People, Time, Seventeen, and National Geographic. It’s like everything I want to read at home but don’t have the time to.”

Finally, the library offers the factor of written text. The media center boasts a collection of over a thousand books, ranging from biographies to science fiction.

Logan Bible, senior, knows the media center well. “My dad makes me read, so I check stuff out all the time. I like action-adventure fiction books, none of the real stuff.”

Overall, the library is a massive institution that offers a myriad of items for a plethora of students, and it is a location that will linger in the hearts of Loonies for times to come.

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