Libraries are changing and dynamic places where students can find the best source of information, whether it’s a book, a website, or database entry. Here at Tallwood High School, the library is more than just books; for many students it is a place of calm, a place to study, a place to escape.

For a library to operate properly librarians are the backbones behind librairies. There’s more to them than just shelving books and keeping students quiet. What they do is amazing.

In a brief interview with two of Tallwood’s librarians, Mrs. Bankes and Mrs. Lizan both give their thoughts on their jobs.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
Mrs. Bankes: I love to read and I work with books, and children that also love to read.

Mrs. Lizan: I think it’s helping students find exactly what they are looking for especially when they don’t think we have something. In the library I can use all my resources and say, “This is exactly what you are looking for!”

What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
Mrs. Bankes: Seeing the happiness a kid gets from reading a good book.

Mrs. Lizan: There’s so many things. When i’m in the library I try to do different things. There’s been a lot of update and changes so it’s nice seeing the benefit if that. We put out something like puzzles and Legos and you see students getting excited or we put the comic books out and the students are like, “I didn’t even know we had them.” I just think it’s exciting having all the students enjoy the library.

What is your motivation?
Mrs. Bankes: This [job] gives me pleasure, so I try to make sure that the kids around me are enjoying themselves too. So that’s my motivation.

Mrs. Lizan: I think it’s doing new and exciting things that people don’t expect from the library. Also, making the library everything students need it to be.

What does your job consist of?
Mrs. Bankes: I’m the library media assistant so I have secretarial skills. I keep an eye on the kids while in here. I help them with anything they need help with one on one. I’m also in charge of the morning announcements. I have a team of kids that put that show on. I just oversee
it.

Mrs. Lizan: Well, what most students and teacher don’t realize is that a librarian is a teaching position, so I have a teacher certification. We teacher classes and lessons, but it’s mostly research and finding information and using it. But then I also have to run the whole library program to get students into literacy and help them work on projects. It’s a lot of different things.

Anything that annoys you about your job?
Mrs. Bankes: When kids come to the library and don’t actually want to work and just want to socialize. It’s hard for the people that are trying to get their work done

Mrs. Lizan: We do have kids that come in, who try to get out of their classes so they use the library as an excuse. It gets annoying when they don’t have something to do.

What is your favorite book?
Mrs. Bankes: I’ve got about 10 favorite books. Right now i’m reading the third book in a series of fantasy books with kings, queens and magic, so I tend to lean towards fantasy books, but I don’t have any one particular book that is my favorite.

Mrs. Lizan: My favorite classic book is “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. But my favorite books that i’ve read recently is “Half Bad” by Sally Green and “The Becoming of Mara Dyer” by Michelle Hodkin.

What is the library to you?
Mrs. Bankes: The library is like a home, it’s like the den of the school. It’s a comfortable place to be in. It’s a place that is warm and friendly and it’s not too regal.

Mrs. Lizan: I feel like the library is the hub of learning and I think that a lot of people don’t see is like that and so that’s why we are trying to make all these changes to get people in here. The library needs to be that space where students can come in and do all the things you needs to get done. It’s like the biggest classroom in the school.

Below are the stories featured in the May 19 Issue of The Roaring Gazette.

What Administration Learned from the Test Lunches by Kayla Smith

U.S. News: Tallwood 39th Best High School in Virginia by Kayla Smith

Students Bring Passion for Fashion to Tallwood Show by Ariana Hernandez

Yearbooks to Arrive in Early June by Elena Day

Junior Fun Night Lives up to its Name by Cassidy O’Neal

Meet Two Lions: Mrs. Lizan and Mrs. Bankes by Sydney McKissick

Mr. Justin Goldstine: Tallwood’s Fixer by Ophelia Reid

Lions Football Begin Off-Season by Richard Ruffin

Tallwood High School Sports Update by Tyler Dennis

Dress Code Should be Fairly Administered by Amari McCoy

How to Make Seniors’ Lives Easier by Marissa Howell

ISIS Must be Defeated by Dylan Klepk

Baby Groot the Highlight of Latest MARVEL Crown Pleaser by Austin Luciani

“Mob of the Dead” a Haunting Addition to “Call of Duty” Franchise by Charles Romano

Rather Rick Ross than Drake by Erin Nathan