That Library Life:
An Interview with Handley Librarians
Shari Putnam and Kara Logan

By Star Friend

For many students at JHHS, there’s no better place to be than the school library. With more than 15,000 books and other resources, the library is where students and teachers can find books, do research, make art, and most importantly, read.

Librarians Shari Putnam and Kara Logan oversee the library’s collections, assist students and teachers with projects, and plan a number of literacy-related social activities. They know which books are in demand (and which ones are overdue).

Being quarantined hasn’t stopped Mrs. Putnam or Mrs. Logan from reading or sharing their love of books with friends. Here, they tell us which titles are most popular at Handley, what they’re reading at home, and they give us some recommended reading to combat the quarantine blues.

Q: What were a few of the most popular books checked out by students from the library during this school year?

SP: A few of the most popular books checked out by students this year include The Hate You Give (Angie Thomas), A Long Way Down (Jason Reynolds), The Sun is Also a Star (Nicola Yoon), Everything, Everything (Nicola Yoon), and How It Went Down (Kekla Magoon). We have multiple copies of all of these books which means more checkouts are possible. Pet Sematary and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Getaway were also very popular, but we only have one copy available. It is not unusual for books to become more popular when there is a movie based on the book released. You will notice several of the titles on this list had recent movies. Other influences on a book's popularity include current events that are similar to the topic of a book, and other books by an author who is well-liked.

Q: How many books does the library own? At any given time, how many are checked out? How many are overdue?


SP: We have about 15,000 books in our library. At any given time, there are approximately 750 books checked out, but that number varies greatly depending on at what point in the semester you ask. Overdues hover right around 300 at any given point, again depending on when in the semester you check.

Q: How often do teachers check out books and what are the most popular titles with them? Generally speaking, how do teachers' selections differ from students'?


KL: There are many teachers who check out books regularly (and not just English teachers!). We even have a book club, Teachers as Readers, meeting monthly to discuss books. Just like students, teachers tend to select books from their go-to genres. We also see teachers reading to find the next new book they will share with their students. Every Day by David Levithan and Jason Reynolds’s A Long Way Down and All American Boys are a few titles popular with teachers as well as students.

Q: Both of you used to be English teachers. When did you decide to become a librarian? How do the two jobs compare and contrast?

SP: I decided to become a librarian when my own children were young - ages 3 and 8. I always enjoyed reading with them, and I became passionate about books as a middle school English teacher. I wanted to inspire a greater appreciation for reading in students and help them find books with which they could connect. While this was something I did as an English teacher, I have more opportunities to make these personal connections as a librarian. Research is another aspect that overlaps in the two jobs. I enjoy helping students become more independent in their learning - not teaching them what the answers are, but teaching them how to find the answers on their own.

There are several major differences which helped make my decision to become a librarian. One is the amount of work I take home each evening. I was spending so much time grading papers as an English teacher I felt cheated out of time with my own children. Another big thing was the emergence of standardized testing. When I started teaching thirty years ago, we had so much more freedom to teach creatively without the pressure of SOLs. While we had weekly lesson plans to turn in, pacing guides to follow, and a curriculum to cover, we weren't evaluated by the performance of our students on a single, high-stakes test. Finally, while I sometimes miss building the more personal relationships and getting to know students in the classroom setting, I am able to get to know and work with so many more students and staff members as a librarian than I ever could within my own four walls. I love collaborating with other teachers, and I love getting to know as many students as possible.

KL: As an English teacher, one of my favorite parts of the job was connecting students with books. While it was often a challenge, it was a wonderful feeling to see that spark in the eyes of someone who finally found a book that they enjoyed. That was what initially made me decide I wanted to become a librarian.

As a librarian, I am able to get to know students as I help them look for books to suit their interests and reading preferences. Reading is a great way to learn about different perspectives or even yourself, so I love ensuring students have access to different views and characters in the library collection. The biggest difference is now I get to collaborate with teachers to reach students through with classroom lessons, booktalks, or projects. I also get to help provide access to digital information, resources, and technology tools for a wide range of topics. In our ever-changing world, both teachers and librarians are always adjusting and learning.

Q: How are you doing with classes being canceled? Are you getting much reading done at home?

SP: I miss our students so much! With my parents' failing health, work had honestly become my sanctuary these last couple years. I love going to work and leaving all of that outside, greeted by the laughter and smiling faces inside the halls of Handley High School. I miss the staff as well. I don't know what I'd do if we didn't have our online meetings so that I at least have some sort of interaction with other teachers. We are a family at Handley, and I miss that. That said, I LOVE that I get to spend this time with my family. My daughters are both home, and if this hadn't happened, I never would have had the opportunity to spend so much time with them otherwise. I am getting a lot of reading done at home. So much more than I usually would! I am listening to audiobooks as well as reading books, which is nice for switching things up, giving my eyes a rest, and working different parts of my brain, all while appreciating both YA and adult novels. I am also making an effort to read a greater variety than I usually do.

KL: I miss being surrounded by Judges and books everyday, but I am staying busy chasing after a very energetic two-year-old. I have been finding some time to read while getting some fresh air outside. My favorite book I’ve finished is White Rose, which is a verse novel about a non-violent resistance movement during World War II.

I’ve also been listening to a lot of audiobooks using the Libby app through Handley Regional Library. I just started listening to a horror book by Rory Powers called Wilder Girls. Audiobooks are a great way to experience a story, and studies show that audiobooks can even help readers with comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Also, they’re wonderful if you like to multi-task!

If you are looking for more options to read online, check out this link. There are so many ways to connect with books and authors even away from the library!

In my dreams

By Amber Deyuliis

In my dreams, I’m somewhere in the ocean.

I’m not sinking or floating
Just sort of deep in the saltwater.
I’m not drowning either.

My soaked hair almost flies every time I move my head;
It feels like I’m flying myself
The water is holding my body in a gentle grip,
As if it held me any tighter I would disappear into the seafoam.
The ocean floor looks so beautiful.

I can see colorful corals and anemones everywhere.
A curious octopus swims over to me,
It strangely doesn’t seem afraid at all.
I reach my hand toward the creature which replies by wrapping one of its tentacles around my fingers.
This makes me smile widely at how it was almost holding my hand.

I felt something brush against my feet but when I looked down...
I had a fishtail instead of my legs!
I was actually a mermaid!
It was just like what I had always wanted as a child!
I could finally explore the seven seas with no fear of drowning!

But then I woke up to reality...
Where I cannot swim
And the only water around me
Is a bathtub.