![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
Calm, peaceful music plays in the background as students have quiet conversations with their friends and study for their classes. This is what a typical day in Silver Creek High School’s library looks like. While many students think of the library as just a place to check out books, it has much more to offer.
Not only can students use the library as a place to relax after a hard day, get homework done, and chat with friends, but they can also engage in monthly-themed crafts and activities, work on the community puzzle, attend Book Club meetings, and purchase drinks from the latte cart.
Ady Baron, a senior who is a member of the Book Club and a former Library Aide, enjoys spending time at the library.
“For me, the library has always been just a safe, quiet space to learn, or sit, or just relax,” Baron said. “It’s a place of knowledge and learning, but also [a place of] fun and community. I think it’s the heart of the school.”
Kristin Holtz, who has been a librarian at Silver Creek for five years, says she wants all students to feel comfortable and welcome at the library.
“I just want them to know that we want them to come,” Holtz said.
In addition to the numerous activities students can participate in at the library, students can also get personalized book recommendations from the librarians. Holtz says helping students find books they will enjoy is her favorite part of being a librarian.
“I really like that process because I feel like, one, I get to know students, which is really important,” Holtz said. “And then two, I think it's more likely that they might enjoy the book than if they just pick one randomly off the shelf.”
Holtz also runs Book Club, a group that reads various genres of books and meets during lunch to discuss the books.
Katelyn Brown, a junior at Silver Creek who has been a member of Book Club since her freshman year, said her favorite part about Book Club is “being able to discuss books with people who like reading books.”
Brown adds that Book Club is low-pressure and informal, making the reading more enjoyable than in a typical English class.
“Students are never required to read the book, they're not required to finish the book, it's totally optional, and they are still very much encouraged to come to the meetings,” Holtz said. “The meetings are a place for students who love to read to connect over books.”
Book club is one of the many activities that students can engage in at the library. Whether students are coming in for book recommendations, to chat with friends, grab a drink from the latte cart, or study for tests, the library has something to offer everyone.
