Library Spotlight: Stephanie Hamilton, Bennion Jr. High School

Stephanie Hamilton has been the Library Media Educational Technology Specialist at Bennion Junior High School for the last seven years, where she loves working and interacting with the students. She says that it is the best job in the world because she can share things she loves and still be a kid. Outside of school Stephanie likes traveling, camping, hunting, fishing, doing all kinds of crafts, and reading. Her favorite genre is historical fiction, either Middle Ages or World War II.

Stephanie and her secretary, Peggy Park, have created a friendly and inviting atmosphere where students can find current YA books and participate in a variety of contests and activities. Check out the pictures and descriptions below to see some of the fun things happening in the Bennion Jr. High Media Center!

Question of the Moment

A question is posted for students and staff to think about and answer. Answers are displayed on post-it notes on the library window for others to read. Questions include “What makes you happy?” and, “What was the worst thing you did as a kid?”

Book of the Month

At the end of each month Ms. Hamilton and a group of students meet after school to talk about the book of the month, eat, and choose a new book for the next month. The chosen book goes on a featured display in the library for any students interested in reading it or participating in the club.

March Madness

The top 16 circulated books are displayed on a chart. Students and faculty can then vote on their favorite book. If they choose the winning book their names are entered into a drawing to win a dozen donuts.

40 Book Reading Challenge

Teachers are given a chart with a list of different genres. As a teacher reads a book they will fill in the chart. At the end of the semester the top 3 readers receive a book of their choice and then in May the top reader receives a prize such as a Kindle. (Prizes vary.)

Ms. Hamilton explains,

We also have teachers and staff post what they are reading now and encourage students to ask them about it. Each year I also try to get the teachers to share their reading experience and so I have a bulletin board out in the hall with their responses. I put out 3×5 cards and colored markers during a faculty meeting and have them answer a question like ‘Why do you read?’ or ‘What is the best book you ever read?’

Good Reads

When a student reads a book they can fill out a Good Reads Summary Form and then they will receive a loyalty card. They get a punch in the card for each book that they read. When they have read 5 books, that card goes in for a drawing at the end of the semester and again at the end of the year. The prize at the end of the semester was $25.00 in books from the book fair.

Golden Tickets

10 golden tickets are placed inside of books and when a student checks out that book and finds the golden ticket they can turn that ticket in for a candy bar.

Friday Activities

At least 2 Fridays a month they do various activies. These activities include playing board games or making paper airplanes and having a quick distance competition. Sometimes they watch short videos; Horton Hears a Who during Dr. Seuss week, Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Halloween. Other times Stephanie will put a question on the tables and give students a 3×5 card, colored pencils and ask them to write or draw their answers. For example: “Tell me one thing you did this week to be a good friend or what are your talents and what do you do to make them grow?” In January she will have them cut out paper snowflakes.