From the outside, the CHS9 Library is a haven of books, magically ready for everyone. Whether it be fantasy, comedy or nonfiction, the library has it. In the midst of it all is librarian Brenna Conway, receiving an order, processing books or making them ready for students to check out.
Conway has been the librarian at CHS9 for three years. Despite being an English major at Southwestern University and the University of North Texas, she taught world geography for three years at Shepton High School in Plano ISD prior to being a librarian at CHS9.
“I love being a teacher and being a librarian,” Conway said. “It will never be an easy job, but it is an incredibly rewarding one. There is nothing quite like seeing the moment where a student goes from not understanding something to understanding, and that never gets old.”
After exploring multiple career paths – a professional ballerina, a writer and an editor – Conway realized being a librarian was her calling after shadowing librarian Kalena Powell at the Georgetown Public Library as a project for her college English class.
“I spent a morning driving around with her in the town’s mobile library,” Conway said. “After hearing everything she said about her job and everything that she did for the community, literacy and people, I thought ‘Yes, this is what I want to do.”
Conway prioritizes making the library a positive and comfortable environment for students. With fun activities aside from reading, such as pingpong and jumbo chess, the library promotes relaxation and leisure.
“When you walk into the library, I am not expecting you to sit down, read a passage to answer questions or take a test,” Conway said. “This is one of the only spaces where you walk in and I do not know your grades, your background or discipline issues you may or may not have had. You are walking in as a completely blank slate, and I feel like that brings a lot of freedom and space for people to be themselves.”
Conway’s optimism adds to the bubbly energy of the library. Her genuine care for students and books is evident in her character and actions.
“She is always smiling a lot, and she always has that cheerful energy surrounding her,” CHS9 student Shivaani Ayyappa said. “She is really bright too, and she listens to you when you talk and helps you with whatever she can.”
Additionally, her generosity and kindness elicit a sense of belonging and comfort in students who get to know her through the library.
“I can get very overstimulated because of loud noises, especially during lunch in the cafeteria,” CHS9 student Natalie Adams said. “She allows me and a few other students to go into the library to just quietly hang out.”
An avid reader, Conway enjoys sharing her favorite books with students and makes it a goal to connect to them in doing so.
“It is so rewarding to hand a book to a student, and say, ‘Hey, you should read this,’” Conway said. “They bring the book back and they’re like ‘Ms. Conway, where’s the next one?’ It’s a really beautiful moment for all of us.”
As a library aide, freshman Caroline Ortuzar sees the hard work Conway puts into running the library firsthand coupled with her well-organized and efficient workflow.
“She makes sure that she gets all of her tasks and what she needs to do done,” Ortuzar said. “She is very on top of things, and she knows what she is doing.”
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