CHESHIRE ACADEMY

“In a world where students have access to all the information ever created by humanity, it is the responsibility of a school librarian to assist students in assessing this information, using it ethically, and understanding how to curate their own media consumption,” said Kate Daly ‘05, Director of Library Services, Cheshire Academy.

The role of the school library, and school librarian, is now one of media literacy and research expert, a person who can teach a student the difference between fact, fiction, propaganda, misinformation, and commercial content hiding as journalism, Daly said.

“Starting in ninth grade, I work with students on source assessment,” she added.

Daly said this includes: y sharing the library’s well-curated and balanced

database access; y showing them where to begin finding information for

assignments; y thinking about the purpose behind the information they are consuming.

“We use the CRAAP analysis, Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority and Purpose to think critically about everything from Peer Reviewed Journals, Primary Sources, Instagram Posts and The Onion headlines,” she said.

By spending time in classrooms, partnering with faculty on Assessments, and Running the IB Extended Essay Program at CA, Daly said she is able to help students grow their skills and develop Critical Thinking skills.

“Helping them learn that personal opinions backed by facts are stronger, and that opinions can change with new information—and this is a good thing—is one of our primary goals in the CA Library,” she said.

In addition, Daly said in the current world, a sense of belonging is the primary function of the library.

“By curating a space surrounded by good books they are encouraged to reach, cozy couches, board games, puzzles, and adults who care about them as people, we are encouraging them to put down their phones, socialize, and take academic risks in a safe, supportive environment,” Daly said.

She added that with a direct correlation between reading for fun and standardized test performance, the staff constantly advocates picking up something aligned with their interest and taking a 30-minute break from scrolling to read.

All of this aligns with the library’s mission of “Student Led Engagement,” as this is a space for them, and the faculty wants their voices heard and highlighted in every facet of this space.

“My goal in taking over was ‘What did I need as a Cheshire Academy student in 2005, and how does that look today?’” she said.

“In a world where students have access to all the information ever created by humanity, it is the responsibility of a school librarian to assist students in assessing this information, using it ethically, and understanding how to curate their own media consumption,” said Kate Daly ‘05, Director of Library Services, Cheshire Academy. Photo by Cheshire Academy.