SHS Library Club Encourages Reading Connections

April is School Library Month, a time to celebrate the important role school libraries play in shaping and transforming the student experience through the power of literacy, critical thinking and creativity. At Sherman High School, a new student club is bringing students together through their love of books and the library.

“The main purpose of the SHS Library Club is to create and grow a culture of readers in our school and get kids excited about books, literacy, and the SHS library,” SHS librarian Laraine Languell said. “It’s generated a lot of excitement.”

The club is open to all SHS students and staff, and during monthly meetings, students discuss whatever book they are currently reading or have read in the past while participating in various activities.

“We've made bookmarks, made miniature versions of our favorite books, played book bingo, and given away books, which we called ‘Blind Date With a Book,’” Languell said. “There are always snacks brought by the librarians and teachers.”

There had been interest in forming a library-related club in the past, and this year, Languell and library assistant Kadee Anderson decided to jump into creating one. They spread the word at the beginning of the year and had around 15 students and a few staff attend the first meeting.

“It was a lot of fun, and we started an email group with those first attendees to let them know of the next meeting and encouraged them to invite others,” Languell said. “We meet once a month and now usually have 25 to 30 students.”

SHS junior Emma Hollis loves the escape reading can provide and said she has enjoyed the conversations during Library Club meetings and different authors and book series she has learned about.

“It’s a fun experience,” she said. “If someone doesn’t know how to get into reading, they should definitely come and talk to people about what book or what author they can start with.”

Hollis, a fan of dystopian fiction, was also inspired by club meetings to start reading and writing poetry after being recommended Save Me an Orange.

“I fell in love with it, and I even wrote my own poetry book,” Hollis said. “I’m going to discuss it at the next meeting.”

For students like Hollis and others who may be more reluctant readers, the Library Club fosters student connections leading to new discoveries.

“The joy for reading and talking about books is contagious!” Languell said.

The club is just one way SISD school libraries and librarians make an impact on students, as they serve not only as a repository for books but also hubs for technology and new experiences.