This year, media specialist Amy Ballentine and the library staff are making changes and finding new ways to engage students with the library.
“We are always changing things in here,” Ballentine said. “This year, we are really lucky that we have Mrs. (Diana) Brown, who’s come to work in here with us (as the library assistant). We’re (also) going to add an extra bookcase and spread some books out (to make them) more accessible.”
The library is also reaching beyond the walls of Chapman to bring new activities to students.
“We (have) a collaboration going with the Inman County Library this year, which we’ve never had the opportunity to do before,” Ballentine said. “(The) teen librarian at the Inman branch has (already) come (during Flex) twice this year, and she’s going to come (back) and do activities once a month for the rest of the school year, which is going to be really great.”
One of the past activities, making bookmarks, was popular among many students, including freshman Abigail Parkkonen.
“I really liked making the wooden bookmarks because it was really fun to paint them,” Parkkonen said.
Ballentine also has plans for new activities in the future.
“I really like that we’re able to use (Flex time) for (different activities in the library),” Ballentine said. “I’d love to (also) come up with some (new) ideas to target readers and people who normally use this space.”
Through all these changes, the library staff continues to make sure the library serves the students well.
“We’ve worked really, really hard to make (the library) a space where students feel comfortable and welcome,” Ballentine said. “It’s important to me that (this space) is what (they) want and need.”
