Mrs. Carrie Curtis and Mrs. Lori Garvey are the two library media specialists here at Southside High School. They deal with any issues related to books or Chromebooks, and keep the library running smoothly. 

“I try to get here early because kids like to come to the library before school starts. We mainly check out books, help kids find books, and also help them with their Chromebook problems,” Mrs. Curtis said about her day-to-day as a library media specialist. 

Mrs. Garvey said, “It’s different every day. Sometimes we have classes all day long, and sometimes they’re just here to find a book and that’s a lot of fun to help people find it. Other days, we don’t have classes all day– it’s just kind of free flow with checkouts and things like that. We do a lot of Chromebook work and that takes up quite a bit of our time. There’s never two days that are the same.”

“My favorite part of the job is helping students find a book that they really like and see them get excited about reading and come back and want to find another book,” Mrs. Curtis said. 

“I really love the book aspect of it,” said Mrs. Garvey, “I love helping connect a student with a book that’s something they’ll really enjoy and when they come back and simply pick out something that really matches them. It’s always fun.”

Mrs. Garvey said, “I like working in the school in general, but it would definitely be working with the kids. That’s why we’re here. Building relationships with them is sometimes hard in here, but we do have our regulars that come in pretty much every day. Even if they’re just here to find a book, sit and read, or study it’s good to interact with them. I think that’s my favorite part of my job.”

“I think the best part about being in high school is that the students already know what they like or what they want and advocate for themselves. It’s fun to get to work with them, see them mature, look into after high school, and see what their plans are,” Mrs. Curtis said. 

“I think most people think that because of technology students don’t read books anymore. And a lot of people think ‘Why do we need a library?’ So I think it’s important to know that kids still read books, adults still read books, and books are still important. Also, I think a lot of people don’t realize that it’s a place where you can come and meet other people, hang out with people that like the same things you do, and talk about common interests with those people,” Mrs. Curtis said. 

“I think something, especially in this day and age, that people don’t think about … is first amendment rights and intellectual freedom. Those things are a big part of our job that is not on the forefront. People don’t really see that, but we are here to provide things to students: resources, books to read, factual information, and good information, even on the digital resources front. We’re just here to provide students and staff with good sources,” Mrs. Garvey said. 

“The fact that I like my job so much [has the most impact on my personal life]. I really like it when I come to work. It doesn’t feel like a job, so that makes my life better because I really do enjoy it. I look forward to coming here every day,” Mrs. Curtis said. 

“I’ve always been a reader, but I feel like now I really have to do it. It doesn’t feel like a job, but I really have to make myself see what’s out there. There are different types of books, and I really try to stay ahead of the new things and the different trends,” Mrs. Garvey said. 

Whether it be an issue with a Chromebook, or simply wanting to check out a new book, the library media specialists are always willing to help. Their dedication to the students at Southside and their job as a whole does not go unnoticed. Next time you’re in the library, remember just how important Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Garvey are to the school.