Literacy Reloaded isn’t just a great name for a library-themed action movie. It’s also a program that Sale Creek Middle/High School representatives hope will help reinvigorate students and community members to get reacquainted with the school’s library.
SCMHS recently completed improvements to the library, including new carpeting, new books and a high-volume printer. To introduce the community to the changes – as well as the idea of the library as a local resource – the school invites the public to come check out the changes from 5:30-7 p.m. April 11 through May 23.
“We’re hoping to make this a regular thing depending on how it goes,” Heather Brown, an instructional coach with the middle school, said of the library’s extended hours. “Hopefully we can provide a useful service for families here in the community.”
If the school sees a need, she added, community hours may also be offered in the summer.
Brown said Sale Creek currently lacks a public library for its residents, leaving those looking for public Internet and printing access to make the drive to Hixson or Soddy-Daisy. While she said there are currently no plans to make the SCMHS library’s books available to the public for borrow, officials with the school are looking to increase community involvement with SCMHS.
“I think there’s a real need in the community for access to technology,” she said. “Between job applications, paying bills and checking children’s grades, having no access to Internet can be difficult.”
During the extended hours, the library will be staffed by a certified teacher, said Brown, meaning any Sale Creek or North Hamilton Elementary students looking for additional help with their homework or other assignments can find the support they need.
She also noted the library is now stocked with project building supplies for students to use when they’re assigned a school project. This, she said, should help out kids in the community whose families might be struggling financially.
By Brown’s estimate, the SCMHS library has gone several years without a book purchase order, leaving the collection of literature somewhat out of date. She said the school’s librarians have already had to set up waiting lists for the new popular releases they’ve acquired.
“They’ve definitely been a hit,” Brown said of the new books. “We’ll continue to seek funding to further improve our print selection even more.”
Phase II of Literacy Reloaded is planned to update the technology in the library, hopefully acquiring new desktops and active boards, said Brown. She said the school is looking currently requesting grants to move forward with the project.
For more information about the library, contact Sale Creek Middle/High School at 332-8819.