Madigan Library Initiates Memberships for High School Students

Published 07.12.2010

News

Circulation supervisor Nicole S. Staron issues the Madigan Library's first high school membership card to Tazrin Hossain.Expanding on its educational opportunities for faculty, staff, students and adult residents of surrounding communities, Pennsylvania College of Technology's Madigan Library has begun offering nominally priced memberships to a previously underserved population: high schoolers.

"We have been pleased to offer memberships to community borrowers since opening in 2006," said Nicole S. Staron, circulation supervisor at The Madigan Library. "However, we were recently made aware of a group that would really benefit from our library's resources, but until now only had limited access."



High school students between the ages of 15 and 18 whether attending classes in person, online or at home are encouraged to visit in person or on the Web, or contact the main circulation desk (570-327-4523) to learn more. Memberships are $5 each, free to affiliated high school students (dependents of Penn College faculty, staff, students, retirees or alumni, as well as those of other Madigan Library members).

Loyalsock Township High School student Tazrin Hossain strikes a familiar pose%3A ensconced in a library, book in hand.The idea of a high school membership category evolved after Tazrin Hossain, daughter of Nasrin Fatima, assistant vice president for assessment, research and planning at Penn College, approached the circulation desk several times requesting access to library computers.

"I came here a lot during the school year," said Hossain, who will be a junior at Loyalsock Township High School this fall. "I love libraries and I thought this was a good one."

At the time, however, policy prohibited unaccompanied minors from accessing library materials.

"Tazrin's request made it clear that this policy needed to change, as there is a large group of high school students that would benefit greatly from The Madigan Library's wealth of resources including computer databases and print and nonprint media," Staron said.

The initiative, announced campuswide in late June, already has met with positive results. Several campus members have contacted the library to register their sons and daughters, and, Staron said, "We look forward to helping (other) children achieve academic success, as well."

"My mom mentioned it and I thought it would be a good idea, since I plan to attend Penn College next fall," said Jessica R. Wiegand, a rising senior at Montoursville High School and daughter of Brenda A. Wiegand, secretary to the special assistant for student affairs/student development.

For more about Madigan Library, e-mail , visit online or call 570-327-4523.

For general information about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.