MORRISON LIBRARY
HISTORY    The Morrison School Library began in a small classroom during the early 1960s in our former building located at 507 Richland Avenue.  When enrollment increased during the mid-1960s, that room became a classroom again and there was no designated site for a library.  Parent volunteer, Gladys Gallaway discussed the situation with the principal and it was decided that an upstairs hallway could be used to house the books.  This plan was approved by the superintendent and it passed local fire codes.
    Throughout the 1970s, library bookshelves lined both sides of the third floor hallway at the former Morrison Elementary.  The overflow was stored on the landings at each end of the hallway.  Frequently, dust covered the books because it was a heavily traveled hallway area particularly when children tracked mud in from the playground.  Nevertheless, the library was a popular place with students and parent volunteers who staffed the library throughout the 1970s along with library aide, Gerry Hikida.
    In 1980, we moved into a new school and library volunteers packed the books at the old building and unpacked them again in our new facility.  Although our hallways at the old school were overflowing with books, these materials occupied only about one fourth of the space available in our current library.  Through extra funds donated by the P.T.O. and the profits from an annual P.T.O. Book Fair begun by parent volunteer, Marlene Rudy, our library is now filled with 18,000 books and numerous audio/visual materials.
    On September 21, 1992, our school library became computer automated.  This occurred after bar codes were added to more than 11,000 books during the summer. Once again, volunteers including teachers and parents provided the labor to accomplish this huge task.
    We began our computer automation system with two computers, one for the librarians and one for the patron station being used by students.  By the mid-1990s, students had access to three computers. During the 1999-2000 academic year, an upgraded software program was added which enabled students and their teachers to access our total library collection from both library and classroom computers.  This is a real plus for our educational program.
    In the early part of the 2000-01 academic year, our P.T.O.  provided the library with a new iMac computer for the patron station.  Our students think this colorful computer is "cool" and are using it regularly.  In 2002 and 2003, the district provided another new computer to the library.

TODAY   Today, the library continues as a major component of our school's educational program.  During an average school year, 25,000-30,000 items are circulated from our library by students. It is also used by parents, teachers, and classes at neighboring Beacon School. Volunteers have been and continue to be an invaluable part of our library operation.  Morrison's library is staffed by about 25 volunteers and librarian, Gerry Hikida.
    We could use additional volunteer help at this time.  If you can donate 3 hours a week to work a morning or an afternoon shift, we would be HAPPY to utilize your assistance. Prior experience is not necessary and the small amount of training needed will be provided by Morrison personnel.  Grandparents are also welcome to assist in the library.
    Anyone with questions is asked to contact librarian, Gerry Hikida or Principal, John Gordon at Morrison.

Last updated on June 16, 2004