Since when has there ever been a librarian class? The Library Media Studies class is new this year, designed to appeal to all students and increase library attendance by promoting awareness of the activities and resources available in the Media Center.

The class follows the four C’s of the curriculum: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Students enrolled in the class will spend four weeks on each unit, learning about what each of the four C’s looks like in a library.

As an internship-like class, students assist with checking in and out books, create displays, collaborate with teachers, plan events, and conduct book reviews.

“Really, we just kind of wanted to bring some kids into the library. It’s a space that is multifaceted, and having people in here, having students in here, has other students to see that there are students in here working, and they can kind of pass along the word of all of the different things that we do in here,” Librarian Christina Kastendike said.

Library Media Studies had been in the curriculum for many years. Rachel Bentley, Media Specialist, has seen a successful Library Media Studies class at her previous school, Wakefield High School, and has seen the class succeed at various other schools. They needed some extra helpers who could help them keep everything organized and who could just help around in general.

Kastendike and Bentley have both talked about how they look forward to teaching again and having students in the classroom. They also mentioned that it will be far easier to make interesting displays for students with their help.

“I think we both kind of were looking to have a little assistance in the library, with tech and checking in and out and organization, and kind of just maintaining our space.” Kastendike said

It seems that this class will put a spotlight on the library and what goes on in there, and over time, we’ll see how this class grows.