2020 AES Stein Library Annual Report: A Joyful Pursuit of Excellence

I like that the library . . . 

• I like that the library staffs are so kind to us and always being so active to find the books I want. I like how there are nice places that I can focus on my work.
• Gives me the resources I need
• Has books for all sorts of people
• Has so many different books, and that there are different areas, some you can socialize in and some that are all quiet.
• I like that the library is full of books that I could read and enjoy
• Has so many different resources to use.
• ... is really nice and welcoming. It makes me feel comfortable and gives me a kind of private space where I could study without disturbance. It’s a great place even for newcomers to the school because on my 4th or 5th day, I couldn’t find my class, so I went to the library to read. It was not boring at all and I would do it again if I could.
• Has study rooms because it gives you a nice private space to study.
• Is a quiet place, the staff is also very helpful and there is a vast collection of books and resources that help me for various things and activities.

The AES libraries hosted two book fairs this year, from Kool Skool and Scholastic. These fairs give our community members opportunities to purchase books for themselves and as gifts. In addition, the libraries get points to use to purchase titles for our collections. Our spring on-campus fairs were canceled due to the campus closure, but we have one more opportunity:

I like that the library:

• Has a selection of areas that tailor to several different appeals, ranging from quiet study, to working/socializing with peers while being respectful to the rest of the library.

• I like that the library is formatted in a way that makes it both a nice place to study, but also an easy way to find good, reliable information.
• Has pretty much all the information I usually want.
• Has the private enclosed booths that are good for working/hanging out with friends in a slightly more secluded environment and work when you might need to collaborate in a way that requires a bit more conversation so you don't want to disturb others.
• I like that the library has a wide range of books.
• Has many spaces to study, and has a lot of resources for studies as well.
• Is well maintained and spacious.
• Has many resources such as computers, movies, and books. It is a great place to go to find places to sit and work.
• Has new bathrooms and a water fountain.
• Has helpful staff that help students whenever they need help.

   .  .  

The four most popular print titles in the MSHS Library are all graphic novels this year!

Once the lockdown in Delhi was lifted enough to allow some transportation around the city, the libraries started curbside checkout, which we hope will continue through the summer.

The video above shows Mr. Currey's excitement at receiving his copy of Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Fever 1793 was our Big Read title for the year, and every middle school student received a copy to keep. Classroom connections, book discussions, a school-wide Kahoot, and an art contest were held around the book. Unfortunately, Laurie Halse Anderson's visit had to be postponed, but many students found it interesting to make connections between the book and the Covid 19 pandemic. 

• I liked how I got to speak with other people that finished the same book as me.
• I liked that the whole school was cooperating and joining in on one experience.
• Teachers are giving several connections with book in class, which helped me a bit more to understand a book.
• I was able to tell and convince people to read the book and it was really exciting to be part of a larger group and community through reading.
• We all had our own copy of the book

Author and storyteller Cat Weatherill visited the middle school in January, and told stories to all of the language arts and humanities classes. 

"I liked how enthusiastic she was to everyone, and made us laugh a lot. Her stories were very oldish and interesting and creepy and I loved it!"

"I liked listening to her stories. I learned a few tips on how to write or create stories."

"Her visit really made me think about the purpose of stories, why we make them and why we tell them. She really engaged with the audience, so I found it difficult to lose my attention! Visits like these are valuable because they give us an opening to other peoples lives, why they came to be who they are and how. In cases like Cats, it shows us that there are far more career options than we would have originally thought."

Neha Hiranandani, author of Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke the Rules, spoke to the 7th grade. This was a perfect connection for their study of breaking barriers with their National History Day research projects.

She shared her rules for being a rule breaker: 

• You do you
• You're never too old to try something new
• Never give up
• Do something for the world