Many students see the Andrew Mellon Library only as a quiet place to study or get some work done. Yet, the library is not just a space for completing homework, but also home to a myriad of resources and programs. Boasting a wide selection of books and resources, the librarians are always looking for feedback and are continuously working to diversify the collection and support from the library.
While the most popular types of books are the young adult and adult fiction novels, Choate is a place with a diverse range of student interests, a fact the library undeniably recognizes. “We’re looking at having books in other languages, having different viewpoints, and making sure it’s a diverse collection,” said Dr. Sherry Newman, the director of the Andrew Mellon Library. According to Dr. Newman, the library is looking to expand their collection of multicultural authors and working on adding STEM books specifically written by women. Ms. Courtney Jaser, the Instruction and Digital Services Librarian added, “We also have an Arab American Heritage Month display out for April. Next month, we’re doing a Jewish Heritage Month display.”
In order to encourage more students to engage with the resources, the Library has introduced many new programs. Ryan Froeb ’23 said, “I love chatting with the librarians. They suggest new books to me all the time.” A recent program hosted by the library had students go on a blind date with a book. The book’s title and cover were hidden from students and only the genre of the book was revealed. “That was the most popular display, with the most checkouts,” noted Dr. Newman.
The library hopes to not just be the go-to location for overwhelmed students looking for a less distracting place to work, but also a place where they can relax and unwind. Recently, the library hosted an event where students were tasked with finding ducks hidden throughout the first floor to trade for prizes. Dr. Newman said, “It’s a fun activity where one doesn’t have to engage too much. You can come in and not think of the library as a stressful place.” Many students have taken advantage of the relaxing, versatile environment the library provides. “I think it’s cool that the library has a dual purpose. Originally, a library is usually just for reading books, but ours has a quiet section, a collaborative section, and just a lot of resources,” said Valerie Guadian ’23.
The library provides an ample amount of resources and equipment available for student use. An important resource in the library is its collection of archives, home to the artifacts containing the School’s rich history. Students who are interested in delving deeper into the School’s history and learning about its past may wish to come here to explore. One other recent event hosted by the library was an opportunity for students to decipher manuscripts from the archives. Ms. Jaser remarked, “It’s the funniest thing because people get really excited about it. It’s like a puzzle and there’s a fun element of competition that goes along with it.”
The library is still looking to expand its vast collection of resources in the near future. One of the ways in which they are planning to approach this is the implementation of a tech bar. With this new addition, Dr. Newman hopes to “provide guidance for students that might have questions whether it’s tech support or just how to navigate or software.” Dr. Newman stated that “events to spark curiosity, creativity, and engage in information seeking” will continue to happen.
The Andrew Mellon Library is not just a place for students to check out books and get some work done, but also a home to diverse stories, a treasure trove of resources, and a place for students of all backgrounds to connect.
