When was the last time you accessed a library database and utilized one of the several articles expertly curated by our librarians? Chances are, you’ve relied on them during your last big history project or research paper. With our two libraries manned by dedicated librarians, the high school is able to prosper the way it does now.

Our school wouldn’t be able to function without its two pillars, the 22 Tappan and 115 Greenough libraries. These two spaces offer a wide variety of books, study areas, a game room and a sanctuary for students, distinguishing our libraries as multifaceted recreational spaces free from a singular function. Students could meet in the cafeteria or at a hallway picnic table, but the library attracts the most traffic because of its welcoming and unrestrictive atmosphere.

Our talented librarians—Molly Wallner, Shelley Mains and Bridget Knightly—hold a crucial role in our school community. Since I began volunteering at 115 Greenough in February of this year, I’ve witnessed how kind and supportive our librarians are. They take a genuine interest in the lives of all their students and foster strong connections.

Among them, Knightly has cultivated relationships with multiple students and given them the advice and tools needed to succeed. She has done a significant amount of work assisting younger children in the Brookline area, including her position as the adviser of the Brookline Literacy Partnership, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy in young kids, as well as her involvement in Brookline Housing Authority charitable events. ​​
“Our main priority is getting books into the hands of kids who don’t have access to them,” Knightly said.

Knightly’s passion for literacy and commitment to making a difference shines through in every initiative she undertakes. While she does lots of generous work for the youth of Brookline, she also cares a great deal for her students. This past summer, Knightly wrote a recommendation letter for a job I applied for and secured; it was reassuring to know I had an adult at school to turn to for help. Knightly said witnessing students’ reactions is the most rewarding part of working in the library.

“[There is a] satisfaction you see on students’ faces when they find a book they really like reading or when they find the information they need on a research assignment,” Knightly said.

Another noteworthy librarian is Wallner, who recently moved from California to Brookline to work in our library. Her transition into the 115 Greenough library was seamless; Wallner was the puzzle piece our library was missing. She was unfamiliar with the library but proved unflagging in her efforts to make it a welcoming space for all high school students. In the spring, Wallner and I started a tradition of doing New York Times games every morning with other library volunteers. Sometimes, Connections got so complicated we had to use new devices for more guesses, and Wordle often frustrated us, but we still enjoyed starting each day with these games, forming a genuine bond in the process.

Like Knightly, Wallner has built up a community in our library and has grown relationships with several students. Though she has only been here for six months, she has already made a significant impact on our Library. Wallner’s most recent feat was her creation of the Student Library Advisory Board (SLA). Wallner said she recognized the growing number of library volunteers and wanted to create a board to gather student input on improving the library.

“Libraries are important because they are one of the few places in this world that provide free services to all. They create a safe place to build new skills, learn new things and seek knowledge with no strings attached,” Wallner said.

One final way our librarians contribute to our community is through the classes they assist. During research paper season, Mains, another librarian, often sits in classrooms as a reference for students who need help citing or finding sources. She helps them navigate the vast resources available in our libraries—from nearly every religious text and lighthearted fiction to historical narratives from every past conflict. Recently, Mains taught a media literacy crash course in the library, an increasingly important topic in our modern society. Without these kind-hearted librarians, our libraries would collapse and leave many students without a supportive place to learn and grow.

Overall, our libraries are integral to the high school, offering students welcoming spaces to build connections and collaborate. Our librarians are equally indispensable, as they ensure our libraries operate smoothly. Without our librarians and libraries, our school would be a symphony without a conductor—full of talent but lacking the direction required for harmony.