WHS Library Blog

This month, the library is promoting kindness, curiosity, and of course—great reading! 

The Pillar of Kindness: Share the Love!

We invite anyone to contribute to our Pillar of Kindness by writing a kind note on a heart and adding it to the display. Whether it’s a thank-you, a shout-out to a friend, or a positive message to brighten someone’s day, every note helps build a stronger, more supportive school community. Stop by and add your heart today!

February “To-Due” List Raffle

Looking for a fun way to get involved in the library this month? Check out our February To-Due List! Complete activities like:
✔️ Going on a Blind Date with a Book
✔️ Adding a heart to the Pillar of Kindness
✔️ Writing a book review
✔️ Learning a fact for Black History Month

Each completed activity earns you a raffle entry for a chance to win a Wildcats plushie or a Weston winter hat. 

Black History Month: Learn & Share

February is Black History Month, and we invite everyone—students and teachers alike—to engage in learning and reflection. Stop by the library to browse our book display, highlighting the voices and stories that have shaped history.

📢 Teachers & students: We’d love to have your contributions to our mentimeter! Share an interesting fact you’ve learned about a historical figure or event using the QR code in the library. We’ll showcase these facts throughout the month.

Blind Date with a Book: No Judging by Covers!

Not all blind dates end in disaster—especially when they’re with books! Wrapped by our fantastic student volunteers, these surprise books come with only a few hints about their contents. Pick one up and maybe you’ll discover a new favorite. After you’ve read it, let the library know what you thought about your “date” by filling out this form. 

Have a Great February

No matter how you participate, we hope you find something to love in the library this month. And remember, if you need help with a research project, finding sources, or just figuring out where to start, we are always happy to help. 

See you in the library!

— Mrs. Barry & Ms. Lockwell

The holiday season is upon us, and the library is busy with exciting activities for everyone! Whether you're looking to challenge yourself, share your love for books, or cozy up with a new book, we have something for you this month.

December Challenge: Join the Fun!

Students and faculty, are you ready for a little friendly competition? Participate in our December Challenge and earn prizes along the way! Here's how it works:

• For each completed activity, you’ll earn 1 raffle entry.
• Complete a Bingo and receive a piece of candy.
• Fill the entire Bingo board to earn a coveted "Friend of the Library" button!

Print your own challenge board or pick one up from the library. 

All participants will be celebrated at our Hot Chocolate Party on Friday, 12/20 during the lunch block. Don’t miss this chance to mingle, enjoy some hot cocoa, and find out who takes home the raffle prizes—a bookish mug and a Weston blanket.

Book Recommendations: Share Your Favorites!

Write a review of your favorite book and see it proudly displayed in the library.

• Submit your review through this Google Form or stop by the library to fill one out in person. Your recommendations could inspire someone else to pick up their next great read—and bonus—it's also a part of the December challenge!

Warm Up with a Book

Baby, it’s cold outside—but the library is the perfect place to stay warm and cozy! This month, we’re featuring collections guaranteed to brighten your winter days:

• Nostalgic Reads: Take a trip down memory lane.
• Book to Screen: Discover (or rediscover) the stories behind your favorite movies and shows.
• New Arrivals: We have plenty of fresh titles just waiting for you to curl up with.

Browse the shelves or the online catalog to find your perfect winter read!

Curl Up with Kindergartners

We’re thrilled to host Curl Up and Read, a special event where our youngest readers meet our senior mentors. On Friday, 12/20 from 8:45–11:15, seniors from Henry Moon and Claire Schomp's classes will team up with kindergarteners for a morning filled with:

• Reading adventures
• Fun crafts
• Camaraderie and smiles!

A huge thank you to the PTO for funding this wonderful event that brings our school community together.

We can’t wait to see you in the library this December. Stay warm, and happy reading!

Mrs. Barry & Ms. Lockwell

Hello from the library! With the second quarter comes a few updates to digital resources and a brand new computer cart!

Digital Resources: Expanded Access to Gale Databases

We're excited to announce that WHS now has more tailored access to digital resources. Based on last year’s usage data, we’ve recently subscribed to four of our most widely-used Gale databases: Opposing Viewpoints, Global Issues, World History, and Biography. These resources offer a wealth of information across topics essential for independent research and class assignments. 

• Accessing from home: Use the password wildcats.
• Accessing at school: Head over to our databases page on the WHS Library website. Students and staff can access these databases, and many more, without needing to log in.

Please note, there are resources on this page that may require signing in with a public library card as some databases are provided by the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) or through the Weston Public Library. 

New Chromebooks Are Here!

 The library is home to a brand-new Chromebook cart! Our latest addition, named Maui (as part of our district’s new tradition of naming all carts after islands), is ready to serve whole-class needs for testing.

 Signing Up: Faculty can book the cart via the "HS Library: Teacher Sign Up" Google Calendar. 

• This cart is specifically for classroom use; we will not be using it as a loaner cart. Keeping the devices together ensures everyone gets the full benefit of these resources when needed.
• If you have any questions or if you need technical support with LinkIt, please send an email to: helpdesk@weston.org.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities. By highlighting Indigenous reads in our library, we aim to bring greater awareness to these communities' rich histories, unique values, and cultural contributions. 

To honor the month:

• Visit our display in the library, or explore the collection in our online catalog.
• Everyone who checks out an Indigenous read this month is eligible to enter our raffle.
• Winners will be announced at the end of November, just before Thanksgiving!

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, feel free to reach out to the library team with any questions. Thanks for reading! 

Mrs. Barry & Ms. Lockwell

Welcome back to the library! Now that we are halfway through the first quarter, we wanted to make you aware of what’s happening in the WHS library and of the following resources and services that are available.

Public Library Cards: 

Does your student need their own public library card? Yes! Having one will allow them to access many online resources such as databases, Libby, Hoopla, and more! A physical card will also allow them to check out books or request books through interlibrary loan. Sign up online here, or visit the Weston Public Library. Any MA resident can also sign up for a Boston Public Library card. 

What Resources does your student have access to?

• Two highly-trained and helpful professionals

• Loaner computers & chargers 
• printers
• Textbooks (because who wants to carry those heavy books around?)
• Online resources: 
• databases and newspapers
• Everyone on campus has free access to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, provided by the library. Access the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal here!
• Books for pleasure and research
• Games—chess has been a big hit so far! 
• The craft corner—this month is origami

New books and collections

Looking for a book to read? You can browse new books and collections in person or online. In September we highlighted the Right to Read and Dark Academia. This month we will be featuring:

• Spooky & Scary books

• LGBTQ+ History 

• Media Literacy Week

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)

Read a book or check out a movie! So many great choices. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to seeing you in the library!
Mrs. Barry & Ms. Lockwell
 

Welcome to March. Your library is here to amuse and delight you through the blustery end of winter. Come by and visit!

Your pet likes to read

If you send us a pic of your pet reading we will decorate the library with them. Wouldn’t it be nice to visit your pet in school? Create a poster in a design program like Canva or send us a snapshot. Elaborate or simple are both good. Send jpegs or pngs to hansona@weston.org. 

Student Curated Book List: Race, Class and Gender picture books for children

Ms. Wanosky's Race, Class and Gender students read and recommended a list of inspiring picture books for the children in your life. 

• Recommended Race, Class and Gender picture books for children

New craft: Duct tape pouches

Make a duct tape pouch for yourself or someone else. Use it for a pencil case, a change purse, a wallet. We have lots of material for you to decorate your new pouch. You can find materials and directions in the back of the library near the Collab.

New books and collections

Looking for a book to read? We have a new Romance section! You can also browse new books and collection in person in the library or online.

• Neurodiversity and our amazing brains
• Black History Month
• New Fiction
• Read with a friend: Pairs of books
• Set in Massachusetts
• New Books Guide

Media literacy game: The Conspiracy Test

It's easy to fall for conspiracy theories. Learn why we are attracted to them and develop healthy skepticism about them on this gamified interactive platform. 

• The Conspiracy Test

This project is a collaboration between The School of Thought and The University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project with philanthropic support from Gabriel Weinberg and Pskydin from Metal Warrior, and advice from Professor Sander van der Linden at the Social Decision-Making Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge, and Brendan Nyhan, the James O. Freedman Presidential Professor, Department of Government, Dartmouth College.

See you soon!

Mrs. Hanson and Ms. Lockwell

It's a new year and your high school library is here for you. Come by to relax and explore during your studies, lunch, and before and after school. 

The current craft is vintage book page snowflakes. Find it in the back of the library along with the perler bead supplies. 

SORA now has magazines along with audiobooks and ebooks for leisure reading. Download the SORA app onto your mobile device, sign in with your Weston gmail account,  find the Commonwealth Ebook Collection, and then choose Weston High for books and magazines on demand, for free. 

Did you make a goal to read more in 2024? Come to library because we have so many fascinating new books for you. Browse the New Books Guide for a complete list. Do you want us to buy a certain book for the library? Let the librarians know and we will take care of it. 

A media literacy tip for January 2024: when reading or viewing video, news, websites and social media, take a moment to notice and name your emotions. Does a video use language and images that make you angry? Does a social media post make you feel bad about yourself? Do you feel close to an influencer on social media with whom you have never met or communicated? When you read the news do you feel anxious or overwhelmed? When you take the time of notice your emotions your critical evaluation skills will get sharper and inflammatory media won't take charge of your emotions. 

Welcome back to your school library!  We are so glad to see you and have a lot of news to share with you. A big welcome your new librarian, Ms. Lockwell. She is happy to be here and is enjoying getting to know all of you. 

Crafts
Crafts are back in the library. Make the the cutest little felt bat you’ve ever seen (designed by Ms. Lockwell).  Go to the back of the library to find the supplies and instructions. Or, design your own felt creation. You can also make a fuse bead project. 

Genrefying your library
We’ve made it easier for you to find books to read for fun by breaking out the horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery/thriller books. We know this is a good move because students have been checking out more books!  We are excited to improve your library experience. 

Library displays for you to browse

• About Writing
• Books Set in High School
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• Climate Champs
• Banned Books 2023

Free newspaper subscriptions

• The New York Times (on campus only–no sign in needed)
• New York Times games (sign up in library)
• The Athletic (sign up in library)
• The Wall Street Journal (password needed–ask your librarians)

Media literacy vocabulary word for this month: Lateral Reading
Lateral reading helps you evaluate news stories. When you read a news story from a source with which you are not familiar, and it’s telling you something dramatic or new, confirm the facts before you trust. Look at other news outlets that you trust to see how they are reporting on the issue.

 If the facts are the same across several trusted news sources, trust it. If the facts are different across several trusted news sources, wait until the story develops and the facts are the same across sources before you trust.  If the facts in other news sources are the same and the facts in the news source you are reading are different, don’t trust the source that is different. 

News develops over time. Give it a few days and the facts will become clear. 

We look forward to seeing you in the library soon!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hanson and Ms. Lockwell

Have you heard of Libby, the public library ebook app?  SORA is from the same company, designed for schools. It works really well on all different kinds of devices and everyone at WHS (including YOU!)  has an account.

1. Download the SORA app to your mobile device to get access to thousands of free e and audiobooks.
2. After you download SORA, join SYNC, a free audiobook program for teens that gives you two free audiobooks every week through July.  The books are stored on the SORA app.

For instructions and links, check this libguide:

If you'd rather get help from a real live person, please stop by the school library and Mrs. Hanson will be delighted to help. 

 

Did you get your free one year subscription to The Athletic and New York Times Games yet? Please stop by the school library and we will get you set up. 

Find some great new resources in the library this month, including free access to The New York Times "The Athletic", New York Times Games, lots of new books to read over April break and an African bead bracelet craft. 

The Athletic and Games from The New York Times

Last year, students requested that the library provide online games. We are happy to announce that you now have free access to New York Times Games as well as The Athletic. The Athletic is a sports publication with the highest quality writing on a wide variety of sports. Games offers you Wordle, the crossword puzzle, Tiles, Spelling Bee, Letterboxed, and more. We have emailed you the sign-up links. If you can't find it, please see or email Mrs. Hanson and/or Ms. Azez and we will give it to you. 

New Books

We have tons of new books and collections that we have selected for you. Please browse online or in the library and read something great over April break! Please note we introduced our new French language collection this month. 

• Living your Best Life

• New Memoir/Biography

• New Fiction April 2023

• New Nonfiction April 2023

• New Books about critical thinking

• Books about people with different abilities and disabilities

• Vive la France!

• French language books

• New Romance

• There's something about Harry

• New Fantasy/Horror/Supernatural

• New Historical Fiction

New craft: African bead bracelet

We know you love the fuse beads but we think it's time to offer you something new for spring. You're invited to come to the library and make a simple knotted bracelet with African beads. Here is a picture of our beads and a sample bracelet.

And, as always, we are here to help you find books, articles, cite resources, look for space in the library, and any other questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in the library.

Mrs. Azez and Mrs. Hanson, your librarians.

The library has new books and crafts to get you through the long dark days of winter. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Chinese books
Your library is expanding the World Languages collection starting with books in Chinese. These new books are for native speakers as well as Chinese language learners. Come to the library and browse the display in the middle of the library. You can also browse them online. Read a Chinese book!
Books in Chinese

Newspapers online
Did you know we offer on campus access to The New York Times website as well as on and off campus access to The Wall Street Journal? You don't need a password--access is location based. Get more information about news databases on the library website. 
A-Z Database list

New Books
We have lots of new books for you to browse in the library and online, below.
New Books Guide

Fuse Bead Craft
Relax with a craft you loved to do when you were a kid--FUSE BEADS!  Supplies are in the back of the library. 

Mrs. Azez and Mrs. Hanson

Library website

Art by Reina Wang

 The end of the quarter is coming and your friendly librarians know you are busy.  Even so, we hope that you will...

Look at our Media Literacy Week guide
Fake news, disinformation, social media: now more than ever, you must evaluate and judge the media that surrounds you. Sharpen your media literacy skills with our guide.

• Media Literacy Week Guide

Browse scary books and new books online (and in the library)

• Freak yourself out: Scary Books
• New Fashion
• New Biography
• Books about money
• Nobel Prize winning authors
• New Teaching
• New Nonfiction

Relax and play some new games in the library

• Chess
• Checkers
• Backgammon
• Mancala
• Cards Against Humanity (family version)
• Exploding Kittens

Honor your crafting urges by making yarn wrapped letters.

• Find the craft in the back of the library

Good luck with the end of the quarter and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Azez

Welcome back to the library! We are so happy to see you again.

New! Crafts and activities 
Every month we offer a do-it-yourself craft in the library. This month, make a duck tape zipper pouch. You can find crafts and anti-stress books and other items at a table in the back of the library near the collab. 

New Books
Lots of new fiction in the library this month. You can browse and reserve online in the guide below or visit in person. You'll find new fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, romance, science fiction and more. Come to the library and borrow a book!

New Books Guide

ELE Library Resource Guide
We also want to share our ELE guide for students who are learning English. The guide lists databases and other resources that offer translation and reading levels to help you with class content and with "fun" reading. 

ELE Library Resource Guide

We look forward to seeing you in the library.

Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Azez

Summer is a great time to read.

We encourage you to take the time this summer to slow down and read a book or two of your choice. We offer you suggestions here, and also know that your friends and families will suggest other, equally good books to you. We offer you two suggested lists:  the WHS library Suggested Summer Reading List, and the Mass Teen Choice Book Awards nominees where you vote in September to choose the winners. All information is in this library guide:

• Suggested Summer Reading 2022 Guide

Did you know that we encourage you to borrow books from the school  library over the summer?  Bring in a bag and we will help you fill it. Also, we recommend you try SORA this summer for free e and audiobooks (yes, listening to audiobooks counts as reading!). Many of the books on these two suggested lists are available in SORA and also in the library. 

Have a great summer and happy reading!

Sincerely,

Ms. Hanson and Ms. Azez

Celebrate National Poetry Month

Read some new poetry, fiction and memoir in verse, and make a blackout poem during the month of April. Books are on display at the front of the library with the blackout poetry creation station. 

National Library Week

It's National Library Week. Quick facts: there are an estimated 117,000 libraries across the country, from the familiar public libraries to those in schools, academies, and governments. State and local libraries employ 91,500 people full time and 93,000 part-time.

WHS research services.

• Free PDFs of articles  behind paywalls. Sometimes you'll find the perfect article online but sadness sets in when you are asked to pay $35 dollars for a PDF.  Mrs. Hanson can usually get that PDF for free. Contact her as soon as you can with your requests. Please allow one week for articles to arrive.  Mrs. Hanson requests them right away, but the service takes a few days to deliver. 
• Books from other libraries. Your librarians can get books from other libraries and deliver them to you in school, for free. Please allow one week for the books to arrive. We request the books right away, but they physically need to get here from across the state on special library vans. 
• Help getting Weston Public Library and Boston Public LIbrary cards. All Weston students can get Weston Public Library cards, and all MA residents can get Boston Public Library ecards.  
• Individual research help. Mrs. Hanson can help you find books and articles. Contact her as soon as you know you need help, so we'll have enough time to gather your materials. It can take up to a week. 
• Help using databases and citing. The library website holds all of our databases and we recommend you use Noodletools for your citing. 
• Book purchasing requests. If you give one month's notice we can buy specific books for your research needs. When you request books after May 1, they will arrive the following September. 
• Ask Mrs. Hanson (hansona@weston.org) for help.

New Books

We have lot of new books for you. Please browse the new book guide to see new graphic novels, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, books about autism and more, or stop by the library and do it in person. 

• New Book Guide

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and your library has books and videos celebrating Black History through art, film, politics, activism, literature and more. Visit the Black History Month display in the library or browse it online and reserve books for pick up.

• Black History Month Collection

Databases

Databases are an important academic resource. Educational institutions buy these collections of edited articles, videos, images and ebooks are purchased for academic use. For most research you use a mix of free resources you find online and databases.

Googling and using databases require the same amount of work. When you Google, you jump right on Google and get a million results (sometimes too many) and you pick and choose the best you can. Finally, you evaluate the source to create a citation. With databases, the work is frontloaded: you have to start on the library website, choose a database and sometimes use a password. Once you're in the database, you have fewer results to choose from, you're confident the source is reliable, and the database creates a citation for you. 

Popular WHS databases include World History, Global Issues, Science, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. We invite you to browse the databases on the library website by choosing the "Databases" tab. (Passwords, if needed, pop up when you scroll over the "i" in the black circle next to the database name.)

What do you think about using library databases? Please take this survey to help us serve you better. 

• Database survey

New Books

Find a great book in our new books and themed collections guide.

• New Books Guide

Have a great break!

It's National Literacy News Week. This year the focus is on limiting the spread of misinformation stopping and thinking before we share possibly false news on social media, text, and chat.

We created a Destiny Discover Collection to help you develop your news literacy. You'll find a PSA about sharing misinformation, a quiz, and websites, books, videos in our collection. There is a display in the library, too. 

• News Literacy Week Collection

Care before you share!

Hello all,

We are happy to share our new books and themed book collections that we have built in the library.   Please visit the New Books Guide to browse online, or come to the library to visit in person. So many great new books to read!

Also, you are invited to take this short, optional survey about the library website:

Library Website Survey

Don't forget, the all-school book club is meeting on February 17. Find more details on the Book Club Guide. We can't wait to hear about the sci-fi and dystopian books you have been reading. 

Thanks for your attention.

We hope you're planning on coming to the all-school book club to talk about the sci-fi book/s you've been reading. This club is mainly for students however all faculty and staff are invited too.

We had to change our meeting date to February 17, the Thursday before February break. We meet during activity block in the library. 

There is no required book. Read whatever sci-fi book/s you like and recommend and discuss during the meeting. Please see the book club guide for recommended books. Many are on display in the library. 

• Book Club Guide
• Meeting info: February 17, Activity Block, Library

We've read some amazing books and want to share them with you, and we really want to hear about what you've been reading! 

Julia Chow '22, Mrs. Hanson and Ms. Wanosky