The Upper School Library: Poly’s Intellectual Heart

Exciting and transformative changes have been afoot in Poly’s Upper School Library, led by Upper School Librarian Nora Murphy, Assistant Librarian Natalie Mattox, and Library Media Specialist Karen Barton. As you enter the library, you might have noticed its redesigned layout and feel. Our Upper School Library team is hard at work creating a home for all community members on South Campus.

During Nora’s interview process in 2023, Upper School Director José Melgoza shared an ambitious vision and challenge for the incoming librarian. Not only is a library a center for research and intellectual inquiry, but it’s also a place of comfort and belonging for many students. As Nora puts it, the library serves both a civic and social function.

“In my interview, José and I discussed how he wanted the library to be the intellectual heart of the school, so that's what I've been thinking of as my mandate,” said Nora. “We want to combine intellectualism and the heart, and keep the library hospitable but also transform it into a place that focuses on reflection and studious contemplation.”

Nora, Natalie, and Karen have accomplished this on a tactical level by expanding our school’s collection to reflect the needs of students best. This means a more extensive feminist and queer studies section, building on contemporary literature offerings, and championing underrepresented authors and titles. It also has meant deeper partnerships with affinity groups on campus, such as numerous events for the Queer Straight Alliance and a sustainability-focused annual festival called Terrapalooza. The library has also expanded with interactive displays highlighting various titles, heritage months, and advocacy needs of students.

Research is an academic focus of Poly, and the library has also risen to meet the needs of students. Poly’s libraries now offer access to 23 different databases, as well as the resources to hone research questions, which helps students thrive as they continue their studies. The library is also a venue to showcase and present research to different groups on campus and host events bringing leaders to campus.

For librarians Natalie and Karen, some of their favorite moments with students are when AP U.S. History Students meet with them for research papers. The meetings ensure all students understand how to access library's resources, giving them skills that serve them throughout their lifetimes. 

“I'm just really amazed by the minds here and the topics the students choose to research,” said Karen. “They're college-ready in that respect, and they could easily take their papers and delve into further research later on using the topics they bring to the library. It’s also great how the librarians are able to learn through the work the students are doing.”

Our Middle and Lower School Library has a robust Library Leadership Committee (LLC) where students can make suggestions to librarians. This committee has created a bridge between the two campus libraries with an LLC in the Upper School as well. The Upper School LLC committee has grown in size from last year to a total of 19 students.

You can also find social-emotional learning resources in the library, from mental health support to posters that embody PolyHonor. For students who need creative outlets, the library has also grown to provide materials for zines, puzzles, and crafts.

“What I'm trying to do is bring together all of these wonderful things already happening at Poly and make the library a hub for that,” said Nora. “Everything can expand from here, and we dabble in all of it. We don’t want the library to be a place you go to for books only; we want it to be a place you leave with everything you need.”