At the beginning of this school year, the administration chose to close the library during instructional time, citing safety concerns and characterizing it as an unproductive work environment. It is likely not the intention of administrators to limit students’ access to books and an area to study, but that is the result of their action. This summer, administrators should prioritize creating a system that will allow students to access the library during study hall next year.
The high school is fortunate to have funding to pay for a librarian, furniture and books. Librarian Mike Nolan said the school received a $50,000 grant for the furniture. It is irresponsible to waste these resources by limiting access to them.
Currently, teachers can sign up to use the library for individual class periods through a Google Calendar. However, there is not a class that meets in the library every day. Some classes may occasionally need to meet in the library for research or other purposes, but students should be able to use the space when a class is not taking
place there.
The library being overcrowded or a distracting environment can easily be addressed. Administrators could place and enforce a limit on the number of students allowed in the library, instead of closing it completely.
Nolan explained this was the previous policy, but it could be enforced differently as an alternative to the current situation.
“We may be the only school library in the country that doesn’t allow people to study quietly,” he said. “That’s part of our mission. In my view, the current policy is an overreaction to the chaos that existed before.”
Although students may use the library to socialize with their friends, this is no different than any other area of the school, including classrooms. It is not an excuse to limit access to an irreplaceable resource.
Additionally, the creation of a sign-up sheet via Google Calendar or an alternative software will allow teachers to monitor students’ whereabouts. Students can use the email confirmation from their sign-up as a “pass” to confirm they are allowed to be in the library. When the library is reserved by a teacher, that time can be blocked off on the sign-up sheet.
The library has the same amount of adult supervision and serves a similar purpose as the Math and English Resource Centers, which remained open this year. It allows students more space to collaborate or work silently without the distraction of a crowded study hall, and it provides students with a productive environment at any time, even if they are not in need of explicit instruction in the MRC or ERC.
Nolan explained he is also available to help students with research, technology issues and other questions.
“It’s my job to help students learn, just like it is every other teacher, and I can’t provide that help if they’re not allowed to come here,” he said.
Why do we have a library if not to provide students access to physical resources and a space to work? Ultimately, the benefits of student access to an alternative learning environment greatly outweigh the minimal effort required to create a system consistent with school policy and conducive to productivity. The high school administration should acknowledge this and seek a solution so the library can be made available again in August.
Published and digitized May 2026.
