Without school libraries, curiosity has nowhere to plant roots, and at Haldane, librarians Terri Sous and Carolyn Llewellyn make sure every student has soil to grow in. Between the middle/high school library and the elementary library, they work around the clock to provide the best resources they can for the Haldane community, whether that is teaching elective courses or updating the database. We sat down with Sous and Llewellyn to discuss their jobs at Haldane.
Sous spoke about how she had always been an avid reader and had fond memories of visiting the library as a child. This led her later in life to look into working in such a setting. She stated, “I started as a sixth grade ELA teacher, and really enjoyed sharing my love of reading with my students. I also have a passion for researching and finding answers. When I learned I could combine those two interests in one job, I was hooked! I knew I wanted to become a Media Specialist.”
Her dedication to the Haldane Library is shown not just throughout the school year, but over the summer too, as she curates and catalogs the books for the upcoming year. She and Llewellyn must tend to the student database to ensure every student can check out books as well as use the libraries and their resources. Mrs. Sous explains she “also has housekeeping tasks, such as making sure our databases are up and running… and researching any new technology that might be helpful for teachers and students.”
Along with the library duties, Llewellyn and Sous teach classes ranging from outdoor sciences to media literacy. These classes help ensure that students are well-balanced and able to navigate the modern world. Llewellyn teaches elementary students in the library and garden class about nature through the garden and outdoor classrooms run by the PTA members and community volunteers. Her lessons often include the importance of the 3 sisters plants, the ecosystem, and sustainability. Llewellyn comments, “Well, I think [gardens] benefit all humans in every single way…you don’t have to trust me. There are thousands of studies.” She continues, “Being out here enhances everything you learn in the classroom, whether in fourth grade… or high school.”
In the middle school, Sous educates students about media literacy and potential scams in a digital citizenship course taught to sixth graders. Sous commented, “My favorite thing to teach is digital citizenship, and specifically how to avoid scams online. There seems to be a new online scam popping up every day, and the students love to share their stories about scams they have encountered online. Even the younger students are very savvy and can spot and avoid a scam.”
The librarians at Haldane and elsewhere offer a backbone to education and resources that communities need to thrive. Whether they’re cataloging books or teaching outdoor science lessons, they maintain a safe space where everyone is welcome.
