Reading Has Never Been So Stylish

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library” – Albert Einstein. For many years, the TCS library was deficient in various aspects: there was not enough room for Middle School and High School students, it was very loud, and there was not a “study environment”. After hearing about these issues, and with the countless suggestions and dedication from the Connie Gonzalez, the current librarian who has been at TCS for over 20 years,  faculty members started discussing the possibility of building a new library. About a year and a half ago, construction started for the building where the new library and administration offices would be housed. The new construction is merged with the Art building. After the construction was complete, inauguration took place on November 1st, 2019. The Columbus School did an excellent job of designing and building a brand-new library which has provided numerous benefits for the school community.

The new library is more spacious than the old one, which increases its maximum capacity and also lets students study and concentrate comfortably. “With the new library, we not only have more space, we now have more areas, there is a specific place for everything you might need to do. The collaborative work area, the individual work area, the idea lab, the presentations room, and the independent chairs. As well as many sofas and chairs around the library,” Restrepo said. Having a workspace where students feel comfortable at school is essential. With the new library, students can do class assignments, study for tests, have a tutoring session, or have a meeting. The options this new space provides are endless. Not only is the new library huge, but it is also retrofitted with state-of-the-art-technology and clever gadgets such as 3D printers, Bambu tablets, aerial connection for chargers, power outlets in most tables, adjustable height desks, whiteboards on desks, etc. The new library has a high monetary cost, which in the eyes of parents and students, might look like it was an unnecessary expense. However,everyone should understand that when it comes to education there are no expenses, everything is an investment. 

Having a school library is beneficial for students because it is full of credible, knowledgeable resources. According to USC Marshall School of Business, “In a limited-access database associated with a library, users can find books, newspapers, journals, magazines, and more. While students may find these databases through search engines, accessing them requires registration. At that point, students are no longer just on the Internet; they are in a library.” The new library is filled with phenomenal resources that students can use for their school activities and assignments. The school has access to many scholarly sources such as EBSCO Host and Brittanica, which can be accessed from the library. These are primary sources that the school pays to access due to its remarkable credibility and its excellent information. Students can also get valuable information from magazines, books, encyclopedias, and even the librarians, Conny and Lina. Individuals may argue that all these resources are available online, so it is unnecessary to have them in the library, but the difference between Google and library search is that the collections in the latter go through a publishing process that involves rigorous editorial checks and quantitative analysis. On the other hand, anyone can post information on the internet and nobody will check to see if it is correct. Ultimately, a library source will always be more credible than a Google search. 

Having an excellent school library can increase students’ reading abilities. Most high school students are familiar with standardized tests, and they contain a reading portion. Scores can be increased by having an exceptional library. According to USC Marshall School of Business, “One study based on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data examined the effects of widespread librarian and media specialist layoffs on student reading test scores from 2004 to 2009. In most districts, fewer librarians meant lower test scores or scores that did not rise as quickly. On the other hand, 19 of the 26 states that added librarians saw an average rise of 2.2 percent in reading scores, with the study controlling for the addition of other educational staff.” This shows that having a school library does raise students’ test scores. By taking advantage of the excellent opportunities offered by the new library, students are on the right track to increase their results.

School libraries are crucial for a student’s education. The new library benefits students by having space to work, having the necessary resources, and increasing test scores. This is a place that makes people feel comfortable and welcome, it gives students a sense of belonging.  The school’s administration made an excellent decision by building a new library. With the right use of the brand new library at The Columbus School, students will receive all these benefits and much more.