GCHS Library Serves Many Purposes for the Community

The Great Crossing library is, for many students and staff, a staple of community and tradition in our school. It values learning, provides spaces for quiet study, offers refuge for students just wanting to take a breather, and houses events for everyone to enjoy. The library is more than just a library; it is a community for all. It deserves recognition for the role it plays in students’ success and wellbeing. 

Librarian Lauren Feeback is a driving force for the library. “I am the librarian at GCHS, and honestly, every day is different. Some days I’ll have English classes come in, and I’ll show book trailers and give book talks. Some days I’ll work with a class on research skills and utilizing databases. Some days it’s a bit quieter, and I’ll work on behind-the-scenes things– displays, our online catalog, gathering resources for teachers, etc.” 

Although Feeback has been a school librarian for many years, she still looks for opportunities to grow through her connections with other librarians in the district. “One thing that is difficult is that, for a long time, I was the only high school librarian in the entire district. Sometimes it can make my job isolating, as I don’t have someone to bounce ideas off of, as I would with other teachers who teach the same content. However, over time, I have gotten to know other high school librarians, and I’ve been able to collaborate with them. And of course, I now have another high school librarian in the district too!” 

Feeback makes an effort to provide quiet spaces in the library for students to work, especially by booking individual study rooms for those interested. “While I am sure there are others that have them, the GCHS Library is the first one I have seen that has study rooms. They have been incredibly popular for students who are working either individually or on group projects,” Feeback said. 

Senior Caitlynn Reffett, a frequent patron of the library, often uses the study rooms when visiting. “I use the study rooms to collaborate with friends so we don’t disturb the rest of the library.” 

The library also has a variety of seating options, help readily available at the front desk, and computers to access work online, in addition to a growing collection of young adult books that can be checked out. 

Kari Dascher plays a significant role in maintaining the library’s resources as the library aide. She assists Feeback with checking in or out books, shelving books, assisting with library and/or school displays, gathering materials needed for class discussions, and helping with staff events.

“I simply love our library. Mrs. Feeback did a great job of organizing the space. Our library is special because of the five study rooms, beautiful open spaces, the Makers Space room, the tall tables near the large windows for puzzling and board games, the cozy chairs for peaceful reading, and the computer banks for students’ learning/use,” Dascher explained.  

 Often Dascher is the first person students see when they enter the library, and according to many, she is always a welcoming presence. Reffett remarked, “Mrs. Dascher puts in so much effort to know everyone’s names as soon as possible and really makes them feel welcome.” 

Dascher enjoys being able to help those that visit the library.  “In my opinion, I feel like a big part of student success is to feel welcomed and heard. My hope is that students know that they can come to the library knowing that they will have that level of support,” Dascher said. “I feel like every student can benefit from the library because of the vast and diverse resources available. Additionally, if we don’t have what you are looking for, we will do our best to point you in the right direction to find it!” 

Junior Jordan Thomson is another frequent visitor of the library. 

“I often go during lunch. It really helps me with my jam-packed schedule with it being my junior year, as well as socially. I’ve struggled academically this year, so having this extra time in the library to focus on clubs and assignments has really helped me overall,” he explained. 

Thomson often takes advantage of the library’s quiet space to focus on assignments. “It puts me on track to focus on important areas in my life and ignore distractions. High School seems to always brew up drama, so having the library for a peaceful lunch has truly been a blessing for my mental health this year.”

While sometimes it can be hard for students to find time in between classes to go to the library, Reffett has seen that teachers have allowed students to visit if they have completed their work. “If students are done with their work, I see them more likely to go down with teacher approval. Some students can tune out the noisy environment of the classroom and others need complete silence. And the library is the perfect place for them to get the space they need.”

“The best time to go to the library would definitely be lunch time or anytime in the morning. Lunch benefits me personally, but it’s a short time and others might not enjoy such a quick break. The break just releases so much tension and really makes it one of my favorite times of the day,” Thomson said. 

Feeback and Dascher put in the effort to represent Great Crossing’s character and community through the library. 

“I believe our library is an important aspect of our school because there are so many things available to help every student succeed,” Dascher said. “The library demonstrates our character because students are encouraged to be respectful, to have integrity, and to ‘be a good human’. It is my belief that respectful behavior is fundamental to a happy/healthy/productive and engaged school community, which all starts by encouraging people to have good character and by demonstrating good character.” 

Overall, the GCHS library and its staff cultivate a successful environment for students and staff to enjoy Great Crossing and grow as people.  “By knowing Mrs. Dascher and Mrs. Feeback I feel more comfortable being a Warhawk. They are always so kind and Mrs. Dascher puts in so much effort to know everyone’s names as soon as possible and really makes them feel welcome. And knowing that all other students have two kind and outgoing people to help them makes me happy to know them as people and teachers of Great Crossing,” Reffett said.