April is National School Library Month, and today we are putting the spotlight on St. James R-1 District's high school library and its dedicated librarian, Mrs. Cheryl Harlan. As a high school librarian, Mrs. Harlan plays a crucial role in supporting students' academic success and personal growth. With her expertise and guidance, students have access to a wide range of resources, including books, research materials, and technology, that help them achieve their goals.
One of the key ways that Mrs. Harlan supports struggling readers is by providing them with a variety of reading resources, including access to the district's ebook platform, Sora, which provides ebooks and audiobooks across all genres as well as fiction and nonfiction. Mrs. Harlan also refers students to the Graphic Novel section, which is sometimes a better format for struggling readers, as it provides visual support for understanding and improves comprehension of the story, increases vocabulary, and boosts confidence. Her efforts have helped many struggling readers develop a more positive attitude toward reading.
“Establishing caring relationships with students is essential for fostering a sense of community within my high school library. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where students know they are valued and that they matter,” said Harlan, when asked about how she creates a sense of community in the library. “I want the physical space to be comfortable and accommodating, and I make every effort to greet students by name–whether they are coming in with a class for a lesson, for books, with general questions, iPad and/or various tech issues, to make copies, study, use the space for a project–whatever it may be.”
Mrs. Harlan's collaborative approach with teachers has also been remarkable. She works closely with teachers to develop and provide research lessons to all students, not just those who may be struggling. Her lessons include identifying credible sources, searching databases such as the EBSCOhost database and features of the district’s MOREnet platform, and evaluating information for relevance and accuracy. She also collaborates with teachers to provide appropriate-level/high-interest texts for their readers and with Instructional Coach Mrs. Keeney on resources that can assist students and teachers in various aspects to provide ongoing reading support.
Mrs. Harlan's dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest reading research promotes student success. She continually seeks out relevant and helpful resources to provide ongoing support for students who are struggling with research and/or reading. The students and faculty of the St. James R-1 School District are fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated librarian as Mrs. Harlan.