The E.Y. Chapin Library is a go-to hub for some students here at Central High School. It is a place where students can have a seat, read a pleasant book, and escape.

The Chapin family, who has been helping Central High School for many years, gave a four-year grant that totals $20,500. They plan to donate $5,000 each year for three years and a $2,500 kicker for 2014 on top of an additional $1,000 each year.

With this grant, Ms. Melinda Martin, Central’s librarian, took her aides on a field trip to Barnes & Noble Bookstore to purchase books. Each of these books was hand-selected by the students who attended the trip.

According to Martin, the library lacked books in the areas of biography, natural sciences, geography, social science, and technology. The grant was used to fill up these categories.

Recently, school systems have switched to Common Core, a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA), in which students should be able to complete learning goals by the end of each grading period. Other books purchased for the library focused on this.

“I believe that students need to read more informational texts along with literature. I believe it helps students prepare for college and the workforce,” said Martin.

Central High School’s principal, Mr. Finley King, is very thankful to the Chapin family for all they have done for our school.

“The Chapin family has been helping Central out for many years. When we received the grant, I wasn’t surprised that they gave us the grant – I was surprised by the amount they gave us, and I am very thankful,” stated Mr. King.

How will these books impact students? How will they further their educational needs?

“Many books in other school libraries are out-dated; with this grant, students will have access to more updated information and places to find information. These books will make more students want to come to the library and read,” shared Mr. King.

These new books are a huge addition that will impact Central for a long time. Stop by the library and browse the new selection of books, and thank the librarian and the Chapin Family.