New GHS library opens with shortage of reading material
– and only one staff member
Gilroy – The new Cesar Chavez Library opened its doors to a fanfare from students, faculty and staff at Gilroy High School Tuesday.
However, Wednesday morning curious students were unable to peruse the new facility. The library was closed because the only staff member, library clerk Freddie Spencer, was out sick for the day. The Gilroy Unified School District School Board members voted to cut the district librarian position for the 2004-2005 school year, according to Assistant Superintendent Linda Piceno. During the summer, however the board voted to reinstate the librarian position who will primarily work at the high school, but will fill in at other schools in the district when needed.
“Historically, the district has always had one librarian,” Piceno said.
After school, students walked under the wooden overhang and around two gray, cement columns that mark the walkway.
The night before, visitors viewed student artwork hanging on the wall and sat in cushy chairs that form a circle for reading or relaxing.
Sophomore Salina Cavazos, said the library clerk, Freddie Spencer, welcomed all the guests into the library where blue and white decorations were spread throughout at the grand-opening.
The size of the new library impressed Cavazos and a friend.
“There were always so many people in [the old library],” said Andrea Martinez, a junior. “It felt really crowded.”
The new library includes more than 4,000 square feet of reading and study area, 32 sleek, black computers and plenty of shelving for books.
“There has been a huge increase in the student population,” said Steve Brinkman, an assistant superintendent. “We needed a bigger facility.”
He added that the upgrade allowed for an improved book detection system to prevent theft and an increase in the availability of computers.
“The library is much more functional,” he said.
But as predicted early in the construction of the library, many of the shelves remain empty and there are large gaps in the fiction, reference and non-fiction collections.
In February, the high school library had 15,900 books for 2,400 students, or about seven books per student. The California School Library Association defines an exemplary school library as having 25 books per student that have been published within the last 20 years, or about 45,000 more books.
Brinkman could not give the total cost of the library construction, or a break down of how much money was used to purchase books, as he said the library was part of an overall project to improve the campus. The project includes building the new student center, as well as upgrades to the aquatics center, book room and the administration building. The money for the project is supported by a $69-million bond measure passed in 2002 to improve Gilroy Unified schools.
He did say that some of the bond money was used to purchase books and he added that the school district supplemented $30,000 to purchase books.
Students said they are not concerned about the lack of books on the shelves, but they are glad to have the extra space.
Like many students, senior Amanda Gil said she usually visits the library with her classes. She said she appreciates the room to study in the library.
Martinez and Cavazos, students who visited the grand-opening, said they hoped to take advantage of the new computers.
“My computer is not working,” Cavazos said. “I’ll definitely visit for that.”
To donate books to the new library, e-mail Denise Apuzzo at lu*****@****ic.com or Jackie Stevens at js*******@*****er.net.
