By: Evi Fromm

With the retirement of Nancy Sumner on January 31, Amanda Brenner is excited about her plans for the BHS library.

Although Brenner has built herself a name in the Greene County public library system, being a librarian was not her first career option. “After working various jobs, I realized that I wanted a career in which I could make more of an impact on the lives of young people,” Brenner said. “I have always had a passion for reading and promoting literacy, so librarianship was a natural transition for me.”

Before coming to BHS, Brenner was the Teen librarian at Winters-Bellbrook Community Library. There she was responsible for the collection, programming, and outreach to the teenage group. Because of her experience, she is very familiar with many of the students attending BHS.

“Some may remember me from their middle school days from running Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Stewart in the library,” Brenner said. “Or from me coming into the cafeteria at the end of each school year to promote the summer reading program at GCPL.”

As Brenner takes over the position here at BHS, she has some exciting plans to make the library more student friendly. “Over the next few weeks, it is going to look worse before it gets better. Trust the process,” she said. “I will be ‘genrefying’ the fiction section, which just means grouping the fiction titles by genre.”

“I will also be shuffling things around to accommodate more dynamic shelving practices. Think more face-out books and books displayed more like a bookstore. I’m hoping this will make the library more browsable for students. I want to expand the graphic novel section and create a manga section.”

“I also have future plans to incorporate a makerspace in the library. A ‘makerspace’ offers students the supplies and tools to create and explore various interests,” Brenner said.

Over the past year, Brenner has been helping run the BHS Writing Club that meets every Tuesday from September through April. Three of the writers in the club just participated in the regional JustWrite Ohio competition at Xenia High School. “I’m super proud of how well they did,” Brenner said. “All of the students that participate in the writing club continuously amaze me with their talent.”

Brenner also plans to support the GSA Pride and Diversity Club alongside social studies teacher, Stephanie Tomlin. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the students involved with this group and supporting their endeavors,” Brenner said.

Along with immersing herself in her new role here at BHS, Brenner still plans to continue helping out at Winters-Bellbrook Community Library over the summer and as a sub.