Library accessibility remains a critical issue for Aliso Niguel High School and concerns many of our students.
While our library offers many resources, concerns have been rising on whether it is easy to access them or not.
The ANHS library is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers a wide variety of books and resources for the Wolverines.
The worry of not being able to access these resources has recently become a common worry amongst the students.
Sophomore Camille Lawrence shared, “The library is sometimes closed for meetings and it’s stressful because I can’t go in the library when it’s hot or I have to study.”
In the past month, there seems to have been four days that the library has been closed. ANHS students have found this challenging because it limits their ability to use the library as a study hall and a place to find information.
New librarian, Sofia Lanning spoke on this issue, saying, “Our library is open to everyone… but what students need to understand is that we are responsible for all Aliso Niguel High School students and staff. We do meetings here in the library and try our best to keep the library available whenever possible.”
The library has welcomed students for National Honors Society informational and general staff meetings in the past month. This has become a worry for many students because they no longer can use the library as a resource.
Sophomore Lily Hoang shared, “Whenever I try to print something, it’s annoying and inconvenient when the library is closed because I don’t have a printer at home.”
A common issue for the ANHS students is not being able to print in the library whenever it is closed. It is widespread for students around the campus to use the printers in the library before class periods.
When asked about this issue, Lanning said, “If it is stressful for students to not be able to print, then they should practice coming in prepared with their papers. The library is a resource but it is also important to be prepared as high schoolers.”
Another common worry for students is the issue of entering the library during free periods. According to the students with free periods, it can be challenging to check in as the line tends to get very long and frustrating to wait in.
Lanning shared that, “The main problem with free periods and the library is that students are not coming in prepared with their school IDs or a picture of their schedule… this is a safety issue and it’s important for the library to have a record of everyone that checks in. But when students don’t come in prepared, it takes a longer time for everyone to get checked in and as a result, a line forms.”
The accessibility of the library is heavily dependent on the school’s schedule and meetings. Although it is understandable that students find it frustrating not being able to use the library as a resource, it’s necessary to note that the ANHS library is also a home to many other important school events that require the library to limit access occasionally.
Our ANHS librarians focus on creating a welcoming and friendly environment for all students and it is important for students to be prepared and understanding when it comes to using the library as a resource.
