The Library Media Center (LMC) at Camas High School (CHS) is contributing to Black History Month (BHM) by displaying books by black authors and having this month’s reading challenge centered around diversity.
Monthly reading challenges have been offered at the LMC since 2021. These challenges allow students to check out a book related to the theme of the month and receive a special bookmark upon completion that displays the months you have participated in.
“We start with a couple hundred [students] the first month and then it kind of drops off as you go,” CHS Librarian Tonia Albert said. “Last year we had about twenty [students] that stuck it out the whole year.”
The engagement for the reading challenges is relatively low considering that there are a couple thousand students that attend CHS. The engagement for activities at the LMC, outside of required visits, is also relatively low considering the number of students enrolled at CHS.
“[I go to the library] for college [on] Tuesdays or when I check out a book for English,” CHS junior Nicholas Chinakos said.
Along with the reading challenge, the LMC is also participating in BHM along with the rest of CHS.
“We have a black history month display and we have an author diversity display,” Albert said.
“I’ve seen posters around for Black History Month,” Chinakos said. “I think it’s interesting what black people have done history-wise.”
The LMC is also home to the Lit Lovers Club which meets every Tuesday during and after student support time to hang out and participate in club activities.
“We kind of just talk about things related to books,” club president and CHS senior Kristianna Vaznaugh said. “It’s a very open-ended club, so we can just do anything that fits the current vibe.”
“We talk about things related to books, eat fun snacks and socialize,” club secretary and CHS junior Ally Mihailoff said.
The Lit Lovers Club is a laid-back club where students discuss literature and spend time with friends. However, the club had a rough and slow start.
“My first year there were three active members,” Vaznaugh said. “Me, the president and our former president. We got through about two books.”
After four years, the Lit Lovers Club now has more members and a fluid structure that allows for freedom, but they also have plans for their next book reading.
“Right now we’re doing a short story that’s fantasy-themed, so people are sending in their recommendations,” club vice president and CHS junior Kira Navidi said.
The LMC hosts many fun and engaging activities from reading challenges to clubs and diversity representation. Many suggest visiting the LMC whenever the opportunity arises as there is a plethora of diverse activities for everyone to participate in.
