Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / April 21, 1970, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page Two HIGH LIFE THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR LIBRARY By Tom Dawson Why is the library in such a “terrible” state? Armed with this question, Steve Grossman and I talked one afternoon with the li brarian about the library, how the library relates to the students, why the kind of books we have are , there, what could be done to fur ther better relations between the library and the students, and what methods could be used to control the number of stolen library books. The first topic of discussion was the type books in the library. Many students have complained that the library does not contain enough of the new “now” books. The reason for the lack of new books is not any fault of the librarians, but rather the fault of the federal gov ernment. Because of lack of an integration policy, suitable to HEW (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare) the Greensboro City Schools lost all federal money. It was government money that paid for a lot of our books and under something called ESEA Title 2 our library lost $10,000 which would have bought new books. This has happened for the past two years. So an order that was written for $10,000 worth of books was can celled due the lack of money. At present, funds are not adequate to buy new books and at the same time rteplace many books which have been stolen. Another problem of the library is in ordering books. All libraries have to order through a central ordering office. This office is for school libraries and it allows them to purchase books at wholesale prices. The only problem with this system is that it takes longer for the library to get these books. To combat the problem we ask the students to donate books. The librarians stated that they would gladly accept any books as long as the books were on the Standard Catalogue for High School Libra ries and other approved lists. To many, people, this means many books would be censored. To my surprise, I found the listings to be very liberal. The list included 1984, Soul on Ice, The AUTOBIOGRA PHY OF MALCOLM X, THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT, and many other controversial books. Many clubs have indicated that they are going to buy books for the library, it would be wise for these clubs to check with the li brarians to be sure that books p’e not duplicated. The biggest problem in the li brary is the student body. There is a gross misunderstanding between the students and the library. I found it very easy to sit down and talk about the library’s troubles. This problem concerns misinfor mation and lack of communication. A second problem is the theft of books. Last year alone, over 400 books were stolen. The estimated loss is somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000. If you wonder why there are so few books in the li brary, the reason is that they are stolen and have to be replaced. Students claim that the librarians yell and cause confusion in the li brary. With 400 books stolen every year, the antics some students “perform”, in the library, and the understaffed working conditions in which they perform their jobs, won’t you feel that , they have the rght to yell? To bridge the gap between the students and librarians, I propose a library-advisory board. The board, to be independent of stu dent council, would be composed of 6-10 students and would meet monthly with the librarians in an advisory capacity to suggest new books, figure out a way to curb theft of books, and work on a paperback library, report to stu dents on library problems and pro mote better relations between the students and the librarians. Miss Herring and Mrs. Bleakley said they would be glad to work with and receive suggestions from students. The next step is yours. Covncirs Challenge for Nexi Year Now that elections are over and our new council members are elect ed we sincerely hope that they wUl not become lazy and take on a “wait until next year” attitude. The new members should work with this past year’s members and learn from them so the 1970-71 school year is not started off “cold.” This year’s Student Council, while not thought of as the best we have ever had, did know how to do their duty. Next year’s members can and should learn from current mistakes. Many things need to be accom plished in this school by the stu dents. These can be done. The fac ulty and administration can be worked with if only the students would try. Remember, it is not up to the administration to initiate IMPORTANCE OF TIME By Reid Phillips Grimsley has much to offer its students. But at the same time this school fails to meet many of the demands that are a part of a good, complete education. Something is wrong — radically wrong—when high school seniors can graduate knowing what to think, but not how to think; when those same stu dents can graduate without ever having heard of “ecology” or knowing the other issues of the day. The trouble is that much of the effort of faculty and students is misdirected hence, wasted. The following ajre some of the most glaring example of this per verted use of time and energy on our campus. 1) The student council has failed to initiate anything more constructive than a fee ble endorsement of a swim ming pool. (Have you heard anyone opposed to the idea?) Worse yet, the council has laughed at a serious propos-, al put before it by a member of the student body. And still that body wonders why it is not taken seriously by the students. 2) The service clubs at Grims ley serve first to make their members feel important, and se,condly as worthwhile or ganizations. Have you ever heard “There will be a very. very important meeting of the club at so-and- so’s house to discuss ...” This makes one wonder whether the meeting is im portant because of what is to be discussed pr because of the prestigious address. 3) Guidance counselors are not available for days becaus'e they are required to adminis ter tests or change schedules. These should not be the pur poses of counselors, and in fact, are not. They are forced to fulfill theste functions be cause no one else can or will. 4) Teachers are required to spend valuable teaching hours in the completion of clerical work. None of these wastes need exist. Student council should be told, and told today, to get busy on some thing more vital than the idle gos sip in which they engage, or dis band. Each year service clubs should be asked to justify their conjinu- ation on the basis of the services performed in the preceding year. Only those students with a refer ence slip or an honest desire to use the library should be permit ted to use the facility. Anyone who abuses this privUegie should be barred from further use. A position should be created for the administration of tests and the planning of schedules. Let the guidance counselors provide coun sel—not tests and schedule cards. The possibility of optional at tendance should be explored to free teachers of role taking and the signing of sick slips. If this is not possible, have the dean’s of fice compile and post lists of ex cused absences for any teacher doubting the status of an absence. The first two proposals should rest in the hands of the student body. The last three require ad ministration action. The point of all is that when such wastes are abolished, the administration and faculty as well as the students will have more time to serve, learn, and teach according to the roles each fulfills. Maybe then we can all get to know each other a little bet ter and we can take time to learn how to think, what ecology is, etc. As a final note let me add that I greatly respect my guidance counselor, the administration (in cluding librarians and the dean of students), my teachers and many of those students in service clubs and on student council. I am not attacking the individuals but rath er, advocating reform of the insti tutions of which they are a part. change—although they say—^it is still up to the student body to work with its governing council in bring ing about any necessary change. Even as High Life has not had the most confidence in Student Council ths year, we feel its errors are trying to be conquered from within. Student Council, during the past year has been plagued with laziness (we know of one home room who has not had a council report in nearly six weeks) and incdmpatability. Some members of Council cannot get along with each other’s ideas. It is a simple case of non-agreement which has led to arguments which accomplished lit tle. These “do-nothing” arguments must be avoided in the coming term. However, because Student Coun cil was unable to accomplish much \ this year, it is up to next year’s Council members to renew their faith in the Council and expand it. Thus, High Life renews its request to support Council and make it work next year instean of speaking about how ban it is without trying to help. We have tried. It is now up to you! HIGH LIFE Published WeeMy 1 September through 1 June, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, between semes ters and spring holidays by the students of Grimsley Senior High School, 801 Westover Terrace Greensboro, N. C. 27410 Second-class Postage Paid In Greensboro, N. C. $1 Per Semester Editor-in-chief Steve Grossman Business Manager Fred Thompson News Editors David Gaynor, Susan Hardee News Staff Alice Scher, Jim Mobberly, Steph Burke Feature Editor Susan Michaels Feature Staff Beth Johnson, Betty Black, Ken Cox Editorial Staff Vicki Topkins, Meredith Foltz, Steve Settle, Tom Dawson, Stuart Kalifon Sports Editors . Walt Deal, Alan Riley, Barry Staples Photographers Lowell Rauch, Greg Moebes Cartoonists Al Wheeler, Chuck Steacy, Scott Cato, Jan Lukens Exchange Editor Helen Ross Subscription Manager Carol Groover Faculty Arvisor Miss Sarah Lovett
Grimsley High School Student Newspaper
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April 21, 1970, edition 1
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