Cupertino High School Librarians Feature

CUPERTINO’S LIBRARY STAFF

A peek into the lives of the librarians at Tino

JULIA HEDSTROM

Library Media Specialist

PRITHIKA SUNDAR

lifestyles editor

As a library media specialist, Julia Hedstrom wears many different hats. Hedstrom

had previous “experience as a librarian for 15 years, coming to CHS with the invitation of Jenny Padgett. She saw this as a meaningful opportunity to incorporate her former skills into her new position.

Hedstrom describes being a library media specialist as an educator first and getting credentials regarding library service afterward. Having these skills helps her better understand the school curriculum and helps both students and teachers at CHS to the fullest of her abilities. She teaches information literacy, helping students with locating, evaluating and synthesizing information. S a i d Hedstrom, “Selecting good reading materials for students and promoting authors and author events [and] encouraging the love for reading is a wonderful part of my job.”

Additionally, she manages the media center and works towards keeping the online database of the library structured and useful for students. Hedstrom has been at CHS for four years and she noticed some changes made during her time as a librarian. One of these changes was the transition from Schooloop to Schoology; as she says, “adapting to Schoology and using all of the available features has been a major shift and has opened up great

opportunities.” She describes how everything is constantly changing, such as curriculum changes, and the online resources are updated based on these changes. When reflecting on her favorite memories, Hedstrom connects [...] ENCOURAGING THE LOVE FOR READING IS A WONDERFUL PART OF MY JOB ” JULIA HEDSTROM back to her daily gratitude practice, where she thinks about at least three things she’s grateful for. “Even if it’s been a long day [...] everything I was doing was exciting, inspirational, and fun.” Recalling the recent announcement regarding Susan Fratus’ retirement, Hedstrom will greatly miss Fratus. Said Hedstrom, “Ms. Fratus is an extraordinary librarian and I could not do my job if I didn’t have her.” She said another library media specialist will join the CHS library and work together with her as the next chapter of her career. Hedstrom would love for students to stop by the library and say hello. Said Hedstrom, “I want the library to feel like a second home to all of our students. One of the beautiful things about the library: whatever you’re curious about [...] we want to help you find that information. If you don’t know the answer, we will help you find the answer”

SUSAN FRATUS

Library Specialist

EVELYN LIAO

writer

Within the pages of the Cupertino High School library, two librarians and a team of student volunteers keep the shelves organized, creating a thriving study environment and a new wellness center.

Susan Fratus, Cupertino High School’s library specialist, took on this job 21 years ago as the only librarian in the district with a master’s degree in library science. Fratus spends her time organizing the shelves and contributing to the wellness of our library. Fratus has seen a lot of changes, from the library’s remodels to the shift towards online media.

When comparing online to traditional media, said Fratus, “When I first started, in fact, I had one computer class [during college], just one.” Added Fratus, “Technology was not a big thing back then. I was more part of the community, but times change.” “Everything’s digital. Everything’s technology-oriented now.”

After 22 years at Tino, Fratus plans to retire at the end of this year. “[...] I’m leaving at a good time,” Fratus said, “I’m retiring this year. I’m going to be 70 in November. I think it’s time.”

With retirement around the corner, Fratus discusses her favorite connections she made as Tino’s librarian. “[There were] veteran teachers, and I enjoyed having them come to the library and the passion, the support they had for the library,” added Fratus, “I really liked the fact that [the students] feel comfortable enough in this space to want to come and use it.” Recounting the changes she’s made to the library, Fratus expresses her pride in creating the wellness corner in the library. “I was really feeling, a couple of years ago, maybe a year after we moved into this building, that that space was not being utilized in a good way,” Fratus said. “And at that time, there was a lot of talk about stress, especially for our juniors and seniors.”

She has gradually added to the

library’s wellness corner over the years. As time passes, Fratus has added several books and chairs to this corner of the library. She plans on adding more in the next few months. From adding mental wellness corners and engaging in various library activities, Fratus feels satisfied with her time at Tino’s library. “I feel really good about what I was able to contribute and help in some positive way,” “ [...] IT’S TIME TO HAVE ANOTHER CHAPTER OF MY LIFE ” SUSAN FRATUS Fratus said, “ Yeah, I’ve done my time, and it’s time to have another chapter of my life”