Library & Technology

Integrating libraries and tech to promote student-centered learning

At Friends School, nurturing a love of reading and literature is paramount to our work. Our librarians and technology educators work in tandem to integrate into the curriculum a variety of skills — from information literacy and research techniques to coding and programming, digital literacy, and digital citizenship — that promote active, student-centered learning. We believe that cultivating this level of expertise in our students is critically important to prepare them for the many challenges that college and the real world will present.

Our divisional libraries serve as a “learning commons” for students of all ages, offering space and opportunities for group work, project-based learning, and time spent enjoying books. Our librarians and technology educators are teachers first and serve as collaborative partners with our faculty. Together they guide students to find new ways of demonstrating knowledge, conducting research, and exploring their passions through authentic learning that reinforces traditional skills and concepts.

 

Visiting Authors at Friends

The goal of the Friends Visiting Author program is to help students make connections with great writing/illustrating and the people behind the work that goes into producing books.

2021-22 Visiting Author Schedule

Eliot Schrefer is a New York Times-bestselling author, and has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award. In naming him an Editor’s Choice, the New York Times has called his work “dazzling… big-hearted.” He is the author of The Ape Quartet and The Lost Rainforest series and has a new book coming out in the summer of 2021. (October 2021)

Marie Lu- Marie Lu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy and The Young Elites trilogy. She will be presenting to Upper School students about her new book, Steelstriker. (October 1, 2021)

Lower School

The library encourages students to love reading and to become more than simply content consumers. Students use technology to archive their learning portfolios, create content, make global connections, and become responsible digital citizens.

 

 

Middle School

The library contains more than 16,000 items, a robust digital library and devices for students to film, record, and edit. Librarians and tech educators work with teachers to guide students to develop media literacy and a deeper understanding of digital citizenship.

Upper School

Serving as a place for quiet study, collaborative group work, and research consultations; students are encouraged to use the library and its technology as a tool to enhance important skills — such as information literacy and critical-thinking.