The school library. A place of learning and studying, a refuge from the commotion of classes and students. For years, the library has held an important role in many students’ hearts. But now, the fate of this haven is in the balance.
“We used to go [to the library] during lunch, and Ms. Holcombe used to let us do our own thing… It was a comfort zone, a place where we could eat, study or relax, and the closing of the library has taken that away from us,” says Nuaym Zain, Freshman. Since October 4, 2024, the library has been closed to all students during lunchtime. No students were allowed to go to the library during their break, whether to study for exams or to work on assignments. This has taken a huge toll on students like Zain who used the library as a quiet study area.
“I liked it with the kids here. We had a trash take-out system, and I was fine with the way it was,” says English teacher and librarian Ms. Jaena Holcombe. The students cleaned their area before they left everyday, as Ms. Holcombe mentioned, and they were disciplined and followed the teacher’s instructions. Students were taken by surprise when the library was taken from them. But what will happen to the library now?
“[The library] will be turned into two classrooms, one for myself and one for Mr. Sean,” explains Ms. Holcombe. Mr. Sean teaches Dual Credit History classes, as well as AP US and World History classes. Ms. Holcombe currently uses the library as a classroom while Mr. Sean uses the auditorium and other classrooms to teach his classes, lacking a dedicated classroom. When Ms. Holcombe was asked whether or not she liked the idea of splitting the library down the middle to create two classrooms, Ms. Holcombe responded that she likes how open the current library room is. A split library would mean that this open space will be cut down into two regular-sized classrooms. However, this new change raises a question in many students’ minds; will we have a school library anymore?
“[The library] is being moved to the Fish Bowl… It’s hard for me to visualize that,” says Ms. Holcombe. The Fish Bowl is a large room with window walls which juniors and seniors can use as a lounge between free classes. The room has two levels; the first level is on the first floor, and the second level is a balcony that is accessed from the second floor and serves as a teachers’ work area. The teachers can look over the railing and see the students moving and socializing on the first level, similar to how people look into a fish tank, hence the name “Fish Bowl.” This large space has been used as a lounge for many years in the past, and was used as an art classroom last year, and now is being used as a lounge again but is being changed to a library.
Lena Elnager, Junior, says, “Turning the fishbowl into a library seems unnecessary since we already have a library, and…The student lounge is also vital for both academic and social well-being. It offers a space outside the classroom where we can mentally recharge, helping us approach the rest of the day with a positive mindset. Overall the fishbowl is an important aspect of student life at BHA and removing it would cause more harm than good.” Since this area has mainly served as a spacious and laid-back lounge in the past, many students have a hard time dealing with the change.
“I’m OK with the fish bowl getting turned into a library, only if students have the rights to [enter] that library,” says Ahmed Osman, Sophomore. Not all students are against this change. Some students, like Osman, believe that this modification could work. However, this support comes with its conditions. Osman goes on to explain that if students can spend their lunch in this new library and face limited restrictions, such as being allowed to use their phones in this new library, this change will be for the better.
The events that have taken place regarding the library have affected many students in many different ways. However, many students agree that the library is a haven for learning and work. The library, especially when it is open to students for use, is a symbol of freedom for the students that use it. Many students believe that they will lose this freedom if this new library is closed to student access during breaks as well. However, students must also be responsible with any freedom or privilege they are granted. According to J.K. Rowling, “True freedom requires taking full responsibility for past, current and future actions.”
