OUR NEW LIBRARY Access Online Research Database: Gale Databases Library History Our Librarians   The first thing that you notice upon entering our new library is the entrance. The small hallway that led up to the original entrance was included as part of the "new space," and provides an area for display of special collections or other materials like students' art work and so on. In the entry hall, a door was cut through to the right into the former Room 221 classroom which has been made into a computer lab.   The main collection room of the library remains much as it did before. Due to the building's landmark status, as much of the original appointments as possible had to be retained. The furniture is all new as well as the overhead lights. The heavy oak shelving along the walls is original to the building.     Part of the expanded library space is the former Room 217, seen here. As well as providing additional collection space, this area has six computer workstations and teacher resource materials. The computer stations provide access not only to our electronic card catalog, but the Internet as well.   Pictured here are the six computer workstations in the former Room 217. The glass-doored shelving seen behind the computers is original to the library.     Another benefit of the library expansion is the creation of a combined library office and staff work center, seen here on the left. Located in the area behind the wall are computers for exclusive staff use and special collection items.     HISTORICAL NOTES The Detmers Memorial Library of Lafayette High School was renovated in 2000/2001 to expand its available collection space and to make accommodations for the needs of technology -- something non-existent when the school opened in 1903. Upon its opening in the autumn of 1903, Lafayette's library (then unnamed) served not only the brand new school, but the greater West Side community as well. There was no public library convenient to West Side residents at that time. Lafayette's library was originally located on the first floor of the building, in the area that is now the assistant principals' office complex and directly under the present-day library. The library was moved to its current second floor location in 1950. It is named after the school's first principal, Mr. Arthur Detmers. Always starved for space, Lafayette's library has served its students well for almost 100 years. Plans to expand the library were discussed on various levels over the past 30 years. The current expansion of the library was made possible through funding from the "E-Rate" Program of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The renovation was not an easy one. Implementing the various physical changes desired in a nearly 100 year old building presented many challenges to engineers and construction workers alike. The efforts of all concerned have paid off. Lafayette now has a library worthy of her rich heritage.   OUR LIBRARIANS 1903 - 1924 No school system librarian 1924 - 1926 Emily M. Curtis and Mabel Case 1926 - 1929 Dorothy M. Stebbins 1929 - 1931 Mary Field Farnham 1931 - 1958 Ella Borchard Hawkins 1958 - 1972 Dorothy Clayman 1972 - Martha Faller (January to June) 1972 - 1983 Janeann Haggerty 1983 - 2002 Maureen Toth 2002 - 2003 Silvia Lloyd 2003 - 2004 Judith Molik 2004 - Cheryl Ryan     Home Alumni Association Visit Our Library LHS Online Archives Online Reply Form Alma Mater Music © 2003 Lafayette High School - All rights reserved