If a library encourages kids to read comic books, you know it’ll be a hit.
That’s what folks at the Downers Grove South High School library urge kids to read–along with, of course, anything else. And that’s why the library was named the top high school media center in the nation by the American Association of School Libraries.
The neatly organized book shelves and cluster of computers at Downers Grove South mirror that of any other library in neighboring districts. What makes the library unusual is the collaboration between teachers, students and librarians.
Students are encouraged to read anything, from romance novels to, yes, even Asian comic books. Librarians–given $30,000 annually from the English department–are encouraged to buy books that will generate student interest.
The library’s book collection has increased from 7,600 to 16,300 in the last two years. And students are checking out twice as many books since the new books were added. More importantly, they’re getting excited about reading.
“We have never seen such interest in reading. Just a lot of talk about books,” said library department chair Rebecca Cassell.
The honor comes with a $10,000 prize. Downers Grove South library officials are still unsure exactly how they will spend the money.
Maybe on more comic books?
