The West Bend High Schools library is not simply a place to check out books anymore–it has become a place to check into creativity.
The library has recently transformed into a modern learning hub for students. With resources like the innovation lab, 3D printers, robotic equipment, circuitry, jewelry making kits, sewing and various other projects, the library offers creative outlets to students who may not consider the possibilities outside of their personal tech devices.
Upon her hiring in the fall of 2024, district library coordinator Pamela Mumm found that the WBHS library was home to many unique resources and new initiatives, and she decided to take these programs off the ground with the help of school library aides.
“I see the school library being a hub for exploration, and a welcoming place to enrich the student learning experience by providing opportunities for students that they can’t get elsewhere,” Mumm said. “We are more than a place to come to for printing. We have lots of opportunities for students within these walls of the library.”
East sophomore Bella Downs feels that the recent improvements to the WBHS library offer many benefits to students.
“The new resources give academically-inclined students a place to relax and work their brains,” Downs said. “Putting together LEGO sets and sewing projects are fun ways for students to engage in our library. I sewed bookmarks for the elementary school Battle of the Books last year, and it was so fun!”
As the school year continues, the WBHS library will introduce new projects, such as a collaborative K’NEX ferris wheel, and continue ongoing initiatives such as Battle of the Books and the updating of titles, all while being a place for students and staff to find research materials, literature and space to work.
Whether students are sewing bookmarks for elementary schoolers with help from library resource technician Kay Laatsch, or choosing to form a Battle of the Books team, Mumm believes that being involved with the library will only serve to benefit students’ futures.
“I think about this when students are applying for colleges or jobs,” Mumm said. “I know if I were hiring somebody and saw that on a resume or an application, I may say, okay, this person’s a reader, this person is willing to go outside the box and challenge themselves a little bit.”
Despite the appeal of these resources to creative students, many high schoolers still visit the library for little other than printing papers or checking out textbooks.
“We find that so often students want to resort to going on their phones when they don’t have something to do so we want to give them some other opportunities to learn some skills,” Mumm said. “One challenge is that we find students don’t always want to pick up a book and read.”
To combat this, library staff has been working on updating their book collection, discarding books that have not been checked out in years and giving the discards to students and staff for their home collections in order to make room for appealing titles. They are also creating displays to highlight new reads with the hopes of intriguing prospective readers.
“Our library aides here have been trying to rotate our displays a little bit more because we know students want to see interesting covers, right?,” Mumm said. “When you go to your shelves, you don’t want to see a bunch of spines, but maybe something will catch your attention if you can see that cover and what it’s about a little bit more. We’ve been exploring different ways to engage readers.”
Photo by Chloe Bauer, Editor in Chief.
The West Bend Current 
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