The Messing Library in the Middle School attracts students throughout the school day, but recess is an especially popular time. Students flock to the space to read, explore new books, do homework, play games, and hang out. Librarians Annie Tsai Gomez and Andrea Ostlund work hard to create an environment where students feel comfortable and safe, and their efforts are clearly paying off.
“We have noticed that in comparison to 2018 and 2019, when we only circulated print materials, 2021 has seen a vast increase in circulation (checkouts of books)— a whopping 87%!” reports Ms. Tsai.
What do Middle School students like to read? Fantasy is by far the most popular genre across the board; manga and graphic novels are a close second and also fly off the shelves. And they’re taking advantage of both media: Ms. Tsai reports that the difference between online checkouts and physical print checkouts is a mere 1.3%, meaning that both are being utilized in equal amounts.
Students these days get lots of new book recommendations from social media. “As a librarian, I’ve downloaded TikTok for the sole purpose of following BookTok, which showcases varying books that then start to trend,” said Ms. Tsai. “Keeping up with these types of outlets has been useful in meeting student requests and interests. Of course, the good old-fashioned recommendation from a librarian, teacher, or friend does wonders as well! We often receive requests for book recommendations and we also see students wanting to read the same book that their friends are reading; it’s a great way to connect with one another.”
Our online platform, Sora, offers students the ability to browse through curated collections (created by librarians) as well as search for a specific book or look at all titles belonging to a specific genre. Like any search engine, applying filters to either sort by popularity, date added, or what is immediately available can greatly help readers locate the specific types of books they want to see in their search.
Our print collection, organized alphabetically in the fiction section, contains genre stickers along the spine of each book. These stickers help students identify books belonging to a specific genre that they have in mind. Of course, our librarians also love giving recommendations if students ask! Ms. Tsai and Ms. Ostlund use social media, bookstore websites, book catalog magazines, student recommendations, books that are written by students’ favorite authors, and visits to bookstores to discover new works.
Popular authors include Alan Gratz (who visited MICDS in 2019), Stuart Gibbs, Marissa Meyer, Karen McManus, Kayla Miller, Rick Riordan, Lisa McMann, Kiera Cass, and Jeff Kinney. Students also love series, with Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales and the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel series in high demand. Ms. Tsai said, “Adventure books are also quite popular with our students. What has been surprising is the enduring demand for online content despite print books being available, too. We are entering a new era of reading!”
As your readers develop their literary palettes, it may be fun to create a “family book club” and read alongside them. Our librarians recommend reading whatever your student wants that you deem appropriate, and also recommend the Truman and Twain Awards nominees.
One might think that our Middle School library is just a place to read or study quietly, but it can also be quite a lively place! Students are invited to the library during recess, where they can read quietly in our cozy Fiction Room but also play board games, play Minecraft, or socialize with friends. “We strive to partner with teachers to create a love of reading as well as assist with research skills; but most importantly, we wish for our library to be a welcoming and safe space for our students where they can feel a sense of belonging and are comfortable being themselves,” said Ms. Tsai.
The Messing Library and our two dedicated librarians: what wonderful resources for our Middle School community!