Chapter Two : Librarian “ You need to know the boy to recommend the right book .”
It ’ s really all about the boys . As Assistant Upper School Librarian and , for the last four years , Upper School Librarian , Winnie has provided an inspiring library experience that sparks interest and curiosity in reading . “ I like to find the best in each boy ,” she says , “ what is special about them . If I influence just one boy , that ’ s important . He will remember how I made him feel , or the book I introduced him to .”
Winnie ’ s methods of inspiration have been myriad . She innovated . During the pandemic , she and Lower School Librarian Gretchen King created a virtual library that provided access on request to over 20,000 titles during the pandemic when all libraries were closed . She also introduced international books from a variety of voices and perspectives , expanding the library ’ s offerings both literally and figuratively . A Chapel talk she gave on the Tales of the Heike , an epic story set in medieval Japan , so impacted Miles C . ’ 27 that he asked to read the book , despite it being graduate school-level reading . He devoured it !
Knowing how much boys love competition , Winnie introduced original reading-related games for the fourth graders . One year brought “ Dead Author Society ;” another , a chess tournament . This past year , the boys conceived of a Reading Derby , riffing on the Nerdy Derby STEAM project they had loved in third grade . The rules were straightforward : each homeroom , designated by a race car , was charged with reading as much as possible during Commons time . Whichever read the most , won . The boys were all in and the delight with which Winnie relays the activity speaks volumes of her commitment .
Keenly aware that a library setting is most conducive to settling boys down and encouraging focus , Winnie promoted its increased use by the fifth and sixth graders for their history research projects . She enjoyed providing one-on-one guidance as the boys researched twentieth century historical topics , or the Constitution . In fact , the fourth through seventh grades have started using the library regularly as an on-demand research classroom . “ Winnie loves working with the students ,” says Gretchen . “ She truly wants them to succeed and does all she can to foster a continuous love of reading .”
If an Upper School boy has five minutes to spare between classes , he can often be found in the Ferragamo Library , asking Mrs . Feng for advice about which book to borrow , or to opine on one that he is reading . The boys often speak excitedly , their enthusiasm for books at a level you would perhaps expect reserved solely for video games now . These moments demonstrate Winnie ’ s commitment to the written word , the boys , and the connections she forges with them over their several years in Upper School .
The Fourth Grade Reading Derby , one of many games Mrs . Feng incorporated into the library for the boys .
10 • Saint David ’ s Magazine