In honor of National School Library Month, we’ll be doing a feature from each building in the St. James R-1 School District!
This week we would like to celebrate the outstanding work of Mrs. Erin McCurdy, the librarian at St. James Middle School. Mrs. McCurdy is a passionate advocate of reading and research, and she shares this passion with all middle school students by providing guidance and assistance in finding the perfect book and navigating research.
Mrs. McCurdy's profound love for literature is evident in her vast reading experience, including her all-time favorite Harry Potter series and The Baby-Sitter's Club, which she credits for instilling her love for reading. She also incorporates her extensive knowledge of library journals and state nominee lists to ensure that the school's collection remains robust and inclusive, taking into consideration recommendations from both staff members and students.
“This is one of my favorite parts of being in the library. I love that I get to see each student in the school on a weekly basis (sometimes more often). I make it a point to learn the names of all students,” Mrs. McCurdy said when asked about how she fosters a sense of community in the school. “I enjoy helping students choose what to read. I always ask about their interests or what they have read or watched that they enjoyed. My fiction section is organized by genre, much like a book store, so once I get a general idea of their interests then it is easy to point them to a certain genre.”
Mrs. McCurdy's exceptional ability to create a personalized experience for each student helps strengthen relationships and create a supportive learning environment, a crucial component of the St. James School District mission. Mrs. McCurdy's unwavering dedication to her students and her passion for reading and research make her an invaluable member of the St. James Middle School community. We are fortunate to have such a talented and committed librarian, and we thank her for her service and continued contribution to our District's mission.