Staff Spotlight: Meet Ms. James, Our New Librarian!

Ms. Haley James is transforming the Media Center at Prep

By Michelle Carpinteyro, Staff Reporter|March 24, 2020

Haley James
Courtesy of Haley James
Passaic Prep’s new librarian, Ms. Haley James.

The library — media center, that is — is now officially open full-time! 

Ms. Haley James, the new librarian, has arrived at the Media Center at Passaic Preparatory Academy, along with her many experiences. 

CHECK OUT THE MEDIA CENTER WEBSITE:

On the website students will be able to:

 

• Receive help via live chat for study, research, and library support during school hours from your school’s Media Specialist/Librarian on the ‘Ask A Librarian’ page

 

• Access thousands of scholarly articles and other information for your classes/homework by accessing databases on the ‘Research Information’ page

 

• Read thousands of digital eBooks and listen to digital audiobooks for free through the ‘Online Reading’ page and read select, popular titles through our library’s own eBook collection on the catalog search (If the catalog prompts you and asks for a username/password to access a library-owned eBook the student access login is username: academies password: passaic )

 

• Cite research for schoolwork with helpful, updated citation tools from the ‘Citation Tools’ page

 

• Interact with digital study tools that can help you stay on track during the school year through the ‘Study Helpers’ page—these sources are especially helpful in keeping track of all of your online coursework
• Access career and college information from reputable sources through the ‘Career Resources’ and ‘Prepare for College’ pages

 

• View the Library Media Center’s monthly newsletter and calendar, search the libraries catalog, and staff will be able to make requests for use of the library’s space and PODs when school is open

The library will be open every day from 8:20 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. If you plan to work on a project after school, make sure to let her know ahead of time and Ms. James said she will work something out with you. 

Ms. James attended Centenary University in Hackettstown and started working at the school’s Taylor Memorial Library during her freshman year. She majored in English Literature, switching over from theatre, and received her Masters from Rutgers University.

When asked what her inspiration is, she said: “Everything! I’m always curious about life and everything positive.” 

Ms. James has a bubbly personality and claimed that if she were a dog, she would be a golden retriever. She loves reading, and said she has many other hobbies including singing, writing, baking, and crocheting. She has a black labrador named Roxy.

The best spot to work in at the library? “The couch by the window, right when you walk in, is the perfect spot,” Ms. James said.

Her favorite color is either green or blue, she can’t decide! 

“At first it was green and then blue, because it’s the color of the ocean,” she said.

Moving forward, Ms. James said she is working on her very own book and is creating new spaces in the library filled with crafts. Ms. James said she wants to create “someplace where everyone feels welcome.” 

She also said you do not have to be quiet, and she hopes every student will stop in to say hello. This isn’t like any other library, Ms. James said. It’s our library.

NOTE: Read the information in the sidebar, right, to learn more about the Media Center and go to the Media Center’s new website HERE. Utilize the tools and resources made available from our Media Center while you are learning online. Contact Ms. James at [email protected] or go through library live chat during school hours if you have any questions.

media center
Ms. James
The Media Center at Passaic Preparatory Academy.