The SHS library has witnessed a few new additions to the staff in recent years.
Mary Renner
Mary Renner joined the SHS library this fall, taking the role of library aide. Before coming to Shorewood, Renner was in school, working towards becoming a middle school English teacher. Feeling that it was time for a change, she moved from Chicago to Milwaukee.
“I was doing my observations during COVID,” Renner said. “I was just really struggling in school and having a lack of purpose in college during [that time]. I found this job up here, and it kind of seemed a little bit kismet.”
For Renner, one of the most enjoyable features of working as a library aide is getting to know the students and community on a more personal level.
“[I like the] interaction with students and just being here for [them] for what [they] need,” Renner said. “The most rewarding part so far is getting to actually know [them] and finally recognizing [them].”
Renner has had a few particularly memorable moments working in the library, including meeting Debra Schwinn, fellow aide. The two work together to support students and their needs in the LMC, whether that means ensuring books are accessible or that students are accounted for.
“Meeting Schwinn has been such a memorable moment for me [as well as] getting to know the staff,” Renner said. “Our building is a really special building. There are really good people here.”
New to library work, Renner has had the opportunity to discover all the different moving parts that come with managing the LMC.
“You have to be really adaptable in this position because there are things that pop up all the time,” Renner said. “In general, I’ve really liked the bigger projects we’ve worked on in the library—we undertook moving [furniture] and shelves, as well as trying to find a way to bring non-fiction out to our main space and make it more approachable [for students].”
The library is often populated with students and staff during free periods and lunch, acting as a central space at SHS. In spending time there, Renner has grown to appreciate the energized atmosphere.
“I’ve really learned to be more community-oriented; we work as a group…and we all have the same goals, so we’re continuously working together, which has been a really cool learning experience,” Renner said. “[SHS] is so driven and knows what [it’s] doing. It’s exciting to be around and I feel really inspired by the students here.”
Outside of the LMC, Renner also works at the intermediate school library and a cider company. Between these responsibilities, Renner does not have a lot of free time. However, she still finds all her jobs to have a throughline.
“[My jobs are] similar in the way that you have to be really quick and move with things as they change rapidly,” Renner said. “But the approach here is so different. In a kitchen, it’s really self-absorbed work…here I’ve really learned to be more community-oriented.”
Debra Schwinn
Former SHS social studies teacher, Debra Schwinn, is the library’s other aide. Before retiring, Schwinn talked to Tim Kenney, principal, about employment in the library. To his surprise, she told him this would be an ideal job for her.
“I basically got offered the job on the spot, [and] I really enjoy it,” Schwinn said. “I enjoy getting to listen to what’s up [with the children], hanging out, and not having to grade papers.”
Aside from continuing to interact with students, Schwinn enjoys getting to spend time with Renner.
“[Renner is] very creative and, between the two of us, we have a good synergy,” Schwinn said.
According to Schwinn, a challenge that comes with working in the library is encouraging kids to read.
“It’s really hard to convince kids the books are worth their time,” Schwinn said. “If you read, you think people read. If you don’t read, you don’t think anybody reads. I think it’s kind of interesting that that’s the divide.”
Schwinn is focused on the future of the library, commenting on the efforts the library aides are doing.
“We’re working on weeding the collection…We were trying to build up the non-fiction collection, which seems to be, honestly, the thing that our kids seem to be the most interested in,” Schwinn said. “I mean, we started [a] book recommendation shelf and just asked everybody [for recommendations].”
With lots of flexibility in their position, Schwinn and Renner are constantly discovering ways to improve the atmosphere of the library.
“We’ve been trying to do stuff around the library to make it homier, to make it feel like a place where people can be more comfortable,” Schwinn said. “Everything is just fun.”
Outside of the library, Schwinn’s interests include baking and her pets.
“I love to bake,” Schwinn said. “Actually, my Christmas present this year is a new oven, so I’m very excited about that. [And] I have a cat: he’s Oscar the Wilde.”