Churchville-Chili’s Senior High School and Ninth Grade Academy Library was recently named as School Library of the Year by the Rochester Regional Library Council.
In order to be considered, school librarian Sarah Wergin submitted a nomination to the council explaining why the SHS and NGA Library deserves to be recognized. “I wanted to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of all the staff in the SHS and NGA Libraries,” said Mrs. Wergin. “I am also quite proud of the program we’ve built, which has significantly improved throughout the last 6-7 years, particularly our push to help students overcome some of the social-emotional hurdles in the wake of COVID-19.”
The nomination read: “Our library seeks to be a safe and welcoming space for all. Our library aims to spark joy within our school community. There are a myriad of reasons students should feel joy in the library and we strive to exceed them all. One reason would be that the materials and services we provide for them are of interest and applicable to them. Students need to feel joy in the library, so they keep returning. Having the library be a joyous place is also essential because we know that outside of school, students may have several responsibilities – they may need to work to help provide for their families, babysit, they may have sports, and so on. The library should be a refuge for the school and the public. I often think of a quote that I’ve seen floating around the interwebs – ‘Libraries are one of the few public spaces where you’re allowed to exist without the expectation of spending any money,’ and I think that – in and of itself – should spark joy in many people!”
The Rochester Regional Library Council is a multi-type library network serving libraries and library systems in the five-county Rochester region – Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties. RRLC is a member of the Empire State Library Network, which is comprised of the nine regional library councils in the state of New York. Learn more about RRLC at https://rrlc.org.
“Being chosen as the RRLC School Library of the Year is a testament to the impact the SHS and NGA Library has had on our school community,” said Mrs. Wergin upon learning the school was selected. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts in creating a welcoming, nurturing and inclusive space. Our library has become a hub of activity, providing resources and activities that cater to a diverse range of interests for our faculty, staff and, most importantly, our learners.”
The recognition includes a $500 prize and a plaque/banner to display in the library. Mrs. Wergin has also been invited to speak at the Rochester Regional Library Council’s legislative event taking place in the fall.
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