11/9/12 - The 2012 State Librarianâs Excellence Award went to Parker Middle School in Howell this year for its superior customer services. State education officials say it was a thrill to award the honor to a school library, noting that the professionally-trained school librarian and resources the library provides access to are essential to both teachers and students. The annual award includes a trophy and $2,000 to enhance service at one library in the state. Some highlights of what Parker Middle School Library did to earn this yearâs award include the thoughtfulness and work put into moving the library over the summer months and the implementation of a new online catalog; getting a grant for a cart of iPads that can be checked out for classroom use; promotion of reading throughout the summer and the active participation of Librarian Katherine Lester on various school-wide, state-wide and nation-wide committees such as the schoolâs Improvement Team and Positive Behavior System for anti-bullying. Lester said everyone works very hard to ensure the library is a âhubâ for the school while also empowering students to be enthusiastic readers, critical thinkers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Lester says she hopes by receiving the award; they can shine some light on the wonderful and necessary work being done by school librarians across the state. (JK)
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