FEATURE
Not Your Average Library The Mercy Library is a new kind of library. No longer just a place for dusty books, homework and ‘shushing’, the library is a vibrant learning environment. Under Sarah Murphy’s guidance, it has become a place for creating, experimenting, exploring, and escaping. Of course there are still dusty books (though they are in the process of getting a ‘bookstore upgrade’ to be organized by genre), but Mrs. Murphy has stocked the shelves with the latest Young Adult favorites and pop culture staples. She also hosts a variety of drop-in activities to introduce girls to new skills and experiences.
Sarah Murphy
TINKER SPACE
The Tinker Space is a special section of the library, home to activities where students practice and build skills in basic circuitry, computer programming (arduino), and 3D design. Girls come during lunch, Collaboration, or after school to work on projects such as LED light-up greeting cards, needle felting, or motorized objects. LED greeting cards
E-BOOKS
Books, the principal feature of any library, have also been modernized. Mrs. Murphy offers ‘anytime, anywhere borrowing’ through the e-book collection. Students can select from thousands of books and audiobooks, and access them from any of their devices.
Dancing functions
3D PRINTER
10 MERCY MERCYHIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOLBURLINGAME BURLINGAME 10
Needle felting
The Parents Club recently purchased 3D printers for Mercy, and the library has certainly put theirs to use! To augment classroom activities, Mrs. Murphy has created body parts for a bio class and dancing function stick figures for algebra. Girls can use design programs like Tinkercad and 123Design to create anything themselves - backpack tags, name plates, and cookie cutters, to name a few.
