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The library is the hub of the school, where all patrons have a right to intellectual freedom: to their own thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. Access to information is essential to a democratic society. The librarians at Windham High School will continuously strive to provide a wide variety of resources to our patrons and encourage collaboration and open dialogue. We will follow policies, like those found on the American Library Association (ALA) website, that protect our patrons’ privacy while allowing as much information as is legally available. We will also do our best to follow the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics and Library Bill of Rights but recognize that a balance will need to be found in order to realistically meet the needs of our patrons.
WHS Library
406 Gray Road
Windham, ME 04062
(207) 892-1810 x2134
LEADERSHIP
HOW WE HELP STUDENTS
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Teach students how to find, evaluate, and cite credible sources
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Help students navigate databases, archives, and academic resources
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Curate a diverse, engaging collection that reflects students' backgrounds and interests
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Collaborate with teachers to support classroom assignments
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Teach responsible and effective use of digital tools
HOW WE HELP STAFF
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Collaborate with teachers to design research-based lessons and projects
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Co-teach information literacy skills alongside classroom instruction
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Help teachers find credible sources for lesson planning and professional development
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Provide training on library databases and digital tools
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Keep staff informed about new trends in technology and information literacy
CIRCULATION & COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
TOP 10 CIRCULATED TITLES
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A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Barnes
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The Berlin Boxing Club by Rob Sharenow
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Crank by Ellen Hopkins
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The House No One Sees by Adina King
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Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian
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Carrie by Stephen King
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The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
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Five Survive by Holly Jackson
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The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow
ITEMS
CHECKED
OUT
4470
ITEMS
ADDED TO
COLLECTION
462
INTER-
LIBRARY
LOANS
33
STUDENT
SIGN-
INS
9853
COLLECTION ANALYSIS
According to standards adopted by other states, our collection is large yet old. Over the last few years, we have been able to update the fiction collection but non-fiction is still well below the "At Risk" level. We are continuously working to update it as resources allow.
WHS
Total items in the collection -->
Number of items per student -->
Average age of fiction books -->
Average age of non-fiction books -->
Age of total collection -->
16,908
17.6
2007
2000
2003
AT RISK
10,846
11
2003
2013
2009
BASIC
12,818
13
2006
2016
2012
EXEMPLARY
14,790
15
2008
2018
2014
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Research Scope & Sequence
We've been working on our Information Literacy and Research Skills Scope and Sequence this year. Currently, teachers in BARR are working together to see where they can consistently fit the criteria into their curriculum. Next year, we plan to meet with content area / grade level teachers in the upper grades.
TECHNOLOGY & ONLINE RESOURCES
INFOBASE DATABASES USAGE STATS
Classroom Video on Demand 461 views/searches
Issues & Controversies 613
Science Online 2191
Today's Science 28
GALE DATABASE USAGE
Retrievals 1580
ABC-CLIO DATABASE USAGE SUMMARY
Total Item Requests 2637
Brisk Boost for Students
"Brisk Boost is a feature within the Brisk Teaching Chrome extension that allows educators to instantly transform any article, YouTube video, or webpage into an interactive, AI-powered student activity. It facilitates personalized learning by generating quizzes, debates, and tutoring sessions that automatically adjust to different student reading levels.
This video shows how to get started with Brisk Boost:
How to Boost Student Activity with Brisk | Getting Started with Brisk
Key Features of Brisk Boost
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Interactive AI Chat: Transforms passive content into active, student-facing AI chats (tutor, character chat, debate, or brainstorming).
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Automatic Scaffolding: Adjusts reading levels and provides support automatically, helping students work through challenges without receiving direct answers.
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Teacher Control & Visibility: Teachers set AI guardrails, define learning objectives, and can view all student conversations to track progress.
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Wide Compatibility: Works with Google Docs, Slides, and Sites.
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Safety & Compliance: Brisk is COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR-compliant with a 93% privacy rating.
How to Use Brisk Boost
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Open the Brisk Chrome extension while on any webpage, YouTube video, or Google Doc.
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Select "Boost Student Activity."
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Choose the engagement type (e.g., Quiz, Tutor, Debate).
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Set the grade level and customize the learning objectives.
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Share the generated link or QR code with students.
This video demonstrates the process of boosting student activity:
Brisk Boost offers a free version, along with paid plans for schools and districts that provide enhanced customization and usage insights."
~Google Gemini description
Check out the technology website. It contains resources for both students and staff.
READING & LITERACY
We encourage students to read over the summer! Some have required reading, but there's still time to read for fun! This webpage also provides access to ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines.
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We celebrated National Poetry Month this year with a book display, a magnetic poetry board, and activities for students to participate in when in the library for workshop blocks.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & GOALS
Professional Development
The librarians:
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Attended the GSEA Day at Freeport High School
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Provided professional development on Artificial Intelligence, specifically NotebookLM and Brisk
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Created and facilitated a "teachers-teach-teachers" learning session
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Attended an AI Conference with A. J. Juliani
Goals
To do:
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Continue to go to Full Department Meetings
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Start to attend grade-level department meetings
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Continue to support District Librarians
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Host more programming
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Do more to encourage reading for enjoyment
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Get more teacher buy-in