What Students Are Missing Out On in the Library
Library resources are plentiful, but most Weston High School students underutilize them. This 2026-27 school year, Ms. Kara Swezey, WHS’s media specialist, is making an effort to educate students about the many resources available to them.
What the library is used for
Typically, students use the library space to hang out or do their homework. It is also a place to be during passing periods, free times, lunch, and before school. Most of the time, students can be found in the versatile seating options doing their homework with friends.
“I like the tables and how we have the ability to sit and work together,” says Maria Kemery ‘30.
The library was designed to be an open, comfortable, and welcoming place for students. Ms. Swezey mentions that the increased sunlight and newer feel have brought in so many more students than in the past.
Ms. Swezey says that the first library at WHS was small. The old library center had limited the amount of resources and seating options provided for the students. That changed with the 2005-2006 renovation to the library and lobby area.
Literacy Lab and Math Lab
One result of the larger library space is that there is room for the Literacy Lab and Math Lab, which have become main resources in the library, being easily accessible to students.
Many students are popping in whenever they get a chance to talk to either Dr. Ioanna Opidee or Ms. Kyra Frioli.
Gigi Carrothers, a 9th grade student, plans on using the Math Lab. “I also want to use the Literacy Lab,” she says. “That’ll be fun, especially when it gets more into the year.”
Maria explains how visiting the Math Lab helped her complete her homework faster, and Ms. Frioli helped her better understand the concepts talked about in her math class.
Sora
Aside from enjoying the space, students make good use of Sora. Sora is an audiobook app provided by the library that contains books for English classes, as well as audiobooks for the physical copies provided in the library.
Gigi Carrothers ’30 says how she loves using it to complete her reading assignments. “It’s really easy to use.”
Ms. Swezey says that Sora has been used more frequently as of last year, and she hopes to see even more students utilizing this resource.
Chargers
When Elle Roulston ‘30 shares the resource she uses the library for the most, it is the chargers, saying how useful they are during the school day when you forgot to charge your computer. Ms. Swezey says that chargers are the most popular resource in the library.
The library not only provides resources for research and to further understand assignments, it also has chargers and calculators that can be borrowed, helping lots of students get through the day.
The Makerspace
The Makerspace located in the room behind Ms. Nicole Pigeon’s desk is another resource open to all students, supplying their creative needs (games, puzzles, cards, arts and crafts).
“We have sewing machines, a cricket machine, a button maker machine, as well as a bedazzling kit, clay, and an art cart (stocked with colored pencils, markers, and construction paper),” Ms. Swezey says.
Having a wide variety of resources not only focused on the typical library setting of just a quiet room with physical books really makes Weston High School’s library stand out.
“We try to really have whatever kids need,” Ms. Swezey says.