Mission and Vision
The mission of the South Western High School library program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. The school librarian empowers students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information by
- collaborating to design engaging learning experiences
- instructing in using, evaluating, and producing ideas and information
- providing access
- providing current information needs and to anticipate technology changes
- providing leadership
Our library strives to
- Empower all learners regardless of background or ability
- Provide all learners with equitable access to books, reference materials, and technology
- Guide all learners in their quest for knowledge
- Prepare all learners to become independent, effective, and thoughtful users of information
- Encourage and facilitate collaboration between learners
- Foster a life-long love of learning and reading
What about 21st Century Learner Standards?
Although we support and encourage students to meet 21st Century Standards in each year, we will focus on certain standards in different years.
Freshman Year: As a large part of the new 9th grade writing course, the librarian will work to teach and encourage standard one: Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. The 9th grade writing course will be largely focused on nonfiction writing and research skills.
Sophomore Year: Shifting gears to a more literature-based course in English, sophomores will be taught to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge: standard two.
Junior Year: Many students will be enrolling in AP classes this year, and all students will be encouraged to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society: standard three. Students will be assigned their first true research project, which will reinforce the first standard, taught explicitly in their freshmen year.
Senior Year: Though we will do our best to meet all standards each year, we see the senior year as a capstone year: one where students will focus their attention on pursuing their personal growth, or standard four.
Freshman Year: As a large part of the new 9th grade writing course, the librarian will work to teach and encourage standard one: Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. The 9th grade writing course will be largely focused on nonfiction writing and research skills.
Sophomore Year: Shifting gears to a more literature-based course in English, sophomores will be taught to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge: standard two.
Junior Year: Many students will be enrolling in AP classes this year, and all students will be encouraged to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society: standard three. Students will be assigned their first true research project, which will reinforce the first standard, taught explicitly in their freshmen year.
Senior Year: Though we will do our best to meet all standards each year, we see the senior year as a capstone year: one where students will focus their attention on pursuing their personal growth, or standard four.