September 2024
Contents:
The library of the month is MacArthur High School from Lawton Public Schools. In her nomination email, Kris Burd said, “I would like to nominate Lawton MacArthur High School library for Library of the Month where Lori Manning is the librarian. As a former librarian and current district library coordinator, I love seeing how Mrs. Manning provides a safe, welcoming environment for all students. At any given point during the school day, you will see students working on projects, doing homework, using the library computers for printing, playing tabletop games in the game area, book club meetings, or student interns working on displays . . . and all maybe happening at the same time! It is the true hub of the school."
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"Collaboration is a strong point for Mrs. Manning. This semester she has worked with an English teacher on a conspiracy theory guided inquiry project during media literacy week which tied in beautifully!"
"Most recently she worked with the ceramics teacher on a project in which the students were involved in a scavenger hunt around the library to learn about the ancient symbolic language of Cuneiform. The students then stamped the words they found into the clay mug they were making. This lesson will now be featured on the K-20 website for others to use!”
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Lori is in her 17th year as the Library Media Specialist at MacArthur High School. When asked to describe her library, she provided this overview:
"We serve over 1,100 students. We have over 2,000 non-instructional student visits per month! Our library is a vibrant space loved by both students and staff."
"At the high school level, it is very important that we offer different spaces for different tasks. We have a classroom setting for quiet work and instruction in research skills, technology applications, digital citizenship, and media literacy. We have an area for games, crafts, puzzles, and social interaction. Also, we offer safe, quiet spaces for students to decompress. We are hoping to add a 'green space' this year with plants and natural elements to further offer a stress-free zone."
 "In the past couple of years, we have remodeled a separate work area and added a heat press, sublimation printer, two Cricut machines, and a space with two podcasting sets. Our school is also the recipient of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, and we’ve been able to offer after school programs to include arts/design, tabletop gaming, podcasting, and Maker Mondays. Many of these programs take place in the library."
"One of the most popular things we do is collaborate with the art department to complete interactive lessons. We have had a Cuneiform scavenger hunt, research lessons on ancient vessels, and invited a video game designer in to speak to students before they created 3D versions of new video game characters."
 "I love my job! It has allowed me to extend my love of reading to students, encourage them in their creative endeavors, and welcome all students to our space. The MHS Library is a very special place," concluded Lori.
Congratulations to MacArthur High School Library, and thank you to Lori for all that you do to make your space the learning hub of the school.
Would you like to have your library featured in an upcoming newsletter? Or would you like to nominate a colleague's library?
Please email me if you would like to share a success story about programming, circulation numbers, a book display, or anything exciting in the library. In your message, please describe the reasons the library should be featured and attach at least one photograph.
Every effort is made to feature school libraries from around the state that serve elementary, middle, and high school students.
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