BY ELENA VALDEZ
Each school has one, however, the library does not do the same thing for high school students as it did before.
Arguably, the main purpose of the library is to provide books. The CCHS media center is stocked with books covering a wide array of topics, ranging from nonfiction biographies to the most popular fantasy novels of the 21st century. Books can be checked out with one’s student ID for up to two weeks. After the two-week mark, the book must be renewed.
“This is the first year they’ve been checking out [books] more than previous years,” media specialist Maya Aylsworth said. “I’d say maybe four or five books a day.”
CCHS’s library, located right next to the red awning, is relatively small but has many resources. Yet, not all of these resources, such as career books and nonfiction texts, are utilized or even known by the students.
“This is the first year they’ve been checking out [books] more than previous years.”
“We really have a lot of nice books,” Aylsworth said. “If they [students] just took the time to get back to books, it’d be great. It’s exciting.”
The computers are the most popular asset found in the school media center. They allow students to work on online classes, complete assignments via Canvas and even print papers or other worksheets if needed. Not all students are able to access a computer at home and the school’s media center offers the internet and all its amenities for free.
Books are no longer the source students depend on for information, making computers much more favorable, due to their ease of access.
The library was once a place solely for research and schoolwork, but as times have changed and books are no longer the predominant source of information, the function of a school library has evolved.
Aside from the books, computers and printers, the library is open during both A and B lunches, unless stated otherwise, and before school. However, in the morning, time is tight and the library opens shortly before the late bell rings, giving students little time to complete tasks before they start their school day.
“I use [the media center] to print things out.”
“I use [the media center] to print things out when my printer isn’t working or I forgot to print something out,” senior Alexander Baldwin said. “However, you almost never can because it doesn’t open until like five minutes before class, or it’s closed the whole day for testing, despite the fact that they have like two rooms in the office for testing.”
Many of the standardized tests administered at the school are taken in the library, which may inconvenience the student body, as they are not able to access the resources that they need.
These resources, such as printers, can be found in guidance during these times. The BRACE office offers printing and internet access as well.
The media center is an essential part of the school. Although it is used more for printing and socializing during lunch rather than studying and reading, the school depends on the library for many things. It provides a moderately quiet place for students to come when they need to get something done or they just need a moment of peace.
Photo by Anabella Garcia
