Daily Life in the "Attic"

This post is for anyone interested in where I am throughout the week!

On the forth floor, what I am calling the "attic", is the ACS Upper School Library. This library is shared by the Middle School and High School and is staffed by what I think are some pretty remarkable  and caring individuals. Here is my "cubby". It sits between two of the three main sections of the library. 

Andrea's office is right across from me. She is the Head Librarian and is also the High School Librarian. She has been here for quite a few years. She is a wonderful mentor and friend to me and has been helping me adjust to my new position here.

In the cubby next door to me is Tracie. She is an incredibly articulate and kind person with a passion for her job and great sense of humor. She is new to her position this year but taught at the high school for a bit before moving up to the library. She is the High School IT Integration Specialist. She is also very savvy with Macs. Since I have the PC background I feel that we are a fit for the IT area (1/2 of my job is MS IT Integration Specialist).

Here is the Fiction side of the library. There is a conference room up here with a lot of video equipment in it. I suspect that I am going to be using this area sometime this year for student video projects.  There is a set of really comfy couches and a projector and screen. This side of the library houses the French language area and the Arabic language area as well.

One of the Circulation counters is on this side. This is also where Komal's space in the library is as well. Komal has been so welcoming and always has a smile on his face when I walk in. He is helping me with some basic Arabic. When I finish my 20 minute walk and go up the four flights of stairs in the morning he is always there to give me a "Good Morning".

The other side of the library houses our 20 computer lab with a projector and screen. This is also where the Non-Fiction and Reference section are as well. There is a set of really comfy couches over on this side of the library. I meet with my awesome advisory group (2 sixth, 2 seventh, and 2 eighth graders) for the first 5 minutes of the day here as well.

At the Circulation desk on this side you will almost always find Ghada. She is truly a  wonderful woman. She gives me a snack every once in a while and will split her arabic coffee with me if she thinks I need it. She has wonderful children that go to school here as well. She is always smiling and like Komal, she is helping me with Arabic basics as well.

Hanan is with us part of the time and the other part of the time she is at the Lower School Library. She is also very sweet. We have had a few wonderful conversations after school. She also shared with me some Sumac spice which is used frequently in Lebanese food. It came from her home in the hills outside of Beirut.

There is also this incredible view of the Meditteranean from the library at the entrance to the 3rd section of the library the TPL (Teacher's Professional Library). The TPL is downstairs and houses resources for teachers. There are also some desks, a mini kitchen and restrooms for staff. Our webmaster, Jad, also has an office in the TPL. He is very difficult to get a picture of. Jad is fun to work with as well and has a great sense of humor.

So, this is the "Attic" more formally called the Upper School Library of the American Community School of Beirut. It is my new home where I feel that I truly have been welcomed! It is such a privilege to work with such a fine group of individuals. I also feel that the middle school staff here is truly phenomenal. They are all kind, hard working and passionate about what they do. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work here with such a great community of educators!!