Libraries are known for being quiet. Now during fifth period, our Grand Junction High School library is too.
GJHS Librarian Pam Middlemas has made the decision to sometimes close the library for 30-40 minutes so she can have lunch during fifth period.
“I’m trying to be conscious of the fact that I don’t have a lunch hour,” said Middlemas, who has been the GJHS Librarian for 13 years.
In previous years, Middlemas has had a full-time assistant in the library, but this year, the position is no more. Middlemas utilizes the assistance of her student aides, but they can only do so much. Without an assistant, Middlemas juggles many responsibilities, one of which is supervising the library during lunch.
“Sometimes there’s more than a hundred people in here,” Middlemas said.
The library has been extremely busy this year with many students finding it to be a mostly quiet place where they can spend their releases or study.
“It wasn’t super busy,” GJHS senior Logan Jochim said about the library during fifth, “It was still pretty spacious and quiet.”
Despite this, students and staff noticed that the library was considerably busy enough for Middlemas to not quite get a peaceful lunch.
“I need some quiet time,” Middlemas said about closing the library during the fifth. “I need some downtime.”
The library is not closed during any other time, and it is not always closed during fifth period.
