It takes more than a great selection of books to have a great high school library. Michelle Luhtala and Christina Russo can tell you that from experience.
For them, its about making sure the students using the New Canaan High library have access to the best information possible and maintaining a good relationship with their fellow educators so the books and digital information matches up with the curriculum.
We want to get them what they need in a format that makes sense to them, said Luhtala, director of the New Canaan High Library Department.
That work has earned the library high praise and an outstanding designation by the American Association of School Librarians. Association President Nancy Everhart will visit the school for a ceremony recognizing the achievement at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Luhtala, in her 10th year with the high schools library, said she made the transition from being a classroom teacher to working in the library because she was always fascinated with how libraries work. She compares it to being a detective in the search for information.
The fundamental role of the library has not changed that much. We collect, organize, preserve and disseminate information, she said. What has changed are the formats, tools and quantity. We get a lot more.
Just like Luhtala, Russo came to the library after working as a teacher. Russo says she has enjoyed being the detective and working with students to find what they need for classes or major projects. Using the library is an extension of the leaning process, she said.
I usually walk with (students) in case they have a question and help them get what they need, she said. Librarians are essentially teachers. We have to look at the educational component.
Russo said earning the association honor is a tribute to the New Canaan community and students who care about modern learning. Were very lucky to work in a district that has vision and allows us to explore 21st-century learning for students, she said. Its about evaluation, not regurgitation.
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