Learn

The Kirby Library, the library of Wyoming Seminary’s Upper School located at our Kingston campus, offers students and faculty access to thousands of books and other resources. Its philosophy is to enhance learning through technology and to promote information literacy by encouraging a critical look at all information, both print and electronic. Through direct services to students, the Kirby Library helps them prepare for college and beyond by giving them the tools necessary for academic success, skills that will make them lifelong learners confident in their ability to find the right information at the right time.

The Kirby Library is located on the second floor of the Stettler Learning Resources Center (SLRC). The library offers students both academic and recreational fiction and nonfiction materials and provides spaces conducive to studying and relaxing. Subscribing to numerous periodicals, the library is an excellent place to pursue personal interests or to find the answers to intellectual questions. With five iMacs and twenty MacBook Air laptops, the library also provides a wireless public computing space for student work. Two printers offer students free black-and-white printing, and photocopying is also available at no cost. Students must adhere to the Network Acceptable Use Policy. The library also displays student artwork and science projects, and its classrooms can be reserved for club meetings or study groups.

Research

The library holds over ten thousand books and over one thousand DVDs for student use. In addition to the print periodicals, the library provides access to electronic databases that contain hundreds of thousands of full-text magazine and newspaper articles. Reference books do not circulate, but students are encouraged to photocopy pertinent articles for their research. There is no charge for printing or copying. Books circulate for three weeks at a time and can be renewed via e-mail. Students are asked to be considerate of other researchers working on similar topics by limiting the number of books they check out on a given subject. No fines for overdue books are charged, but lost books will be charged to the student. As a member of ShareIt, the state’s library consortium, the Kirby Library can obtain books and videos from the nine million items available from participating libraries via interlibrary loan. Students are encouraged to suggest books, magazines, and videos for the library to purchase so the library fully reflects the students who use it.

Environment

Kirby Library provides a friendly, welcoming space for students eager to do academic work or relax with friends. Since the library is an intrinsic part of Sem's campus, all school rules during the academic day are in effect, including the school’s dress code and prohibition of cell phone calls. All students are expected to be mature enough to throw away their trash and leave a clean learning environment for others. No food or drink is allowed next to computers, but drinks with lids or caps are allowed in the library. The noise level of the library should always be conducive to those students studying, and library patrons are asked to always respect the students working around them. Groups who feel that their enthusiasm might infringe upon the learning of others are asked to use an unoccupied library classroom. Listening to music or watching videos is allowed in the library with the caveat that no sound should be audible from student headphones, which are available for loan if needed. One of the library’s classrooms is usually reserved for people wishing to pursue work in a quieter atmosphere. 

LAB

Students interested in developing leadership skills are encouraged to apply for membership to the Library Advisory Board (LAB). This group is a council composed of students from all grades who organize and lead monthly events. Its mission is to promote the use of and programming for the Kirby Library. LAB makes decisions about collection development, evening and weekend events, and generally help to give direction to the library and its staff. Board members collaborate with other groups and collect information from the student body through formal and informal surveys. They also participate in periodic leadership retreats, field trips, and special-interest committee opportunities, all of which impact the Sem community by shaping the future of this campus resource. Students can apply for LAB membership at the beginning of each academic year.