A Room of Their Own

THE CATHEY FAMILY YOUNG ADULT CENTER is an extension of Valley School’s library, and one of the most recent physical transformations of Valley School’s campus. It has quickly become a hub of activity and a favorite reading, working, and meeting space for Valley School students, faculty, and parents.

Karen Koza, Valley School’s librarian, knows the potency of children’s minds, and believes that reading is one of the most efficacious means by which to ignite the magic of intellect and imagination. She aligns herself with Harold Howe, the education pioneer who believed that “what a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education,” and the combination of those philosophical certitudes were the origin for her vision of a new kind of library space at Valley School.

Mrs. Koza explains that the area that has become the Cathey Family Young Adult Center was long underutilized and in need of a re-imagining. “It was a secondary space without a sense of identity or specificity of purpose. But almost by definition, libraries are about possibility, and I knew we could enhance the room and its functionality to benefit our school community in intentional and important ways.”

At the same time that Mrs. Koza was developing a wish list for a renovation, Head of School, Dr. Jon Strecker, was looking for a community area for Upper School students to study, work, and socialize. It was in a meeting about library curriculum for the 2018-2019 school year that a solution to both their challenges became apparent. Dr. Strecker recalls, “We knew almost immediately that we could create something special. The priorities would be providing the upper-school students with an inviting and professional area to help foster intellectual curiosity, positive academic collaboration, and a healthy student culture.”

Upper School students work in the Cathey Family Young Adult Center.

Although the vision came together easily, Dr. Strecker knew the resources to create it could be difficult to secure. Enter John and Catharine Mellon ’81 Cathey, current and alumni parents who are long supporters of the school. “When we learned that there was an opportunity to expand and enhance the Valley School library, we were excited and happy to support the process,” said Mr. Cathey. “We both love learning and reading, and we have tried to instill those loves in our children. We believe that a love of learning sets you up for life. We see the correlation between reading, inquisitiveness, and academic success, and libraries are spaces devoted to the development of those passions.”

Mrs. Cathey, who is President of Valley School’s Board of Trustees, agrees. “There’s a beautiful serendipity involved in perusing a library’s shelves. The browser always finds more than they’re looking for, and so curiosity is both sated and incited. The best libraries will simultaneously satisfy and leave you wanting more. We wish for the pleasure of that experience for all of Valley School’s children. We hope that designating a library space for upper schoolers—who are likely to be drawn toward the flash and sheen of mobile devices—will remind students that books are as boundless as the internet; there are infinite worlds inside.”

The Cathey Family. Rising 9th-graders, Beatty and Sterling; parents, John and Catharine; rising 6th-grader, Finn. (Not pictured, rising 11th-grader, Kingsleigh, and rising college freshman, Prosser.)

The Cathey Family Young Adult Center opened in January, featuring an expanded book collection, curated especially to appeal to young adults. Other highlights include a fireplace, flexible seating and mobile work surfaces, charging stations for iPads and computers, and the latest technological capabilities for work-sharing. Mrs. Koza is thrilled with how much use the room is getting. “The Cathey Family Young Adult Center is the completion of a dream to create a space dedicated to our young teens. The outside wall with handcrafted bookcases and sliding doors helps to clearly separate the room from the main library. The room is welcoming and comfortable—a quiet refuge for readers, but also a meeting space, a study space, a work space, a socializing space, and a relaxing space.”

Student reviews are outstanding, too. “We all love it!” enthused 9th-grader, Lex Ortego. “It’s great! We read and study in there. We meet with teachers and work with our classmates. We can share and edit our assignments on the Apple TV so everyone can contribute to group projects. We also spend down-time in there. At recess we hang out or sit by the fireplace and talk.”

That’s precisely what Dr. Strecker had hoped. “We wanted to create a space that would beckon the students to slow down, sit together, and spend mindful time face-toface enjoying one another’s company and working together. With the support of Mr. and Mrs. Cathey, we have achieved our goals, and it is deeply satisfying. We are so grateful to the Cathey Family for their contribution. As Valley School continues to evolve, this generously donated space sets a high standard for all future projects.”

Mr. and Mrs. Cathey are happy with the results as well. Mrs. Cathey explained that, “It’s gratifying to learn that students and faculty are benefitting from the addition of the Young Adult Center. It’s true that at their best, libraries build and nourish community, and we’re so pleased that we could be a part of that at Valley School.”

Students discuss a text in the Cathey Family Young Adult Center.