Ms. Chambers Talks Hacking Digital Tools

Teacher-Librarian Ms. Chambers presented “Hacking Digital Tools” at the 2024 Washington Library Association Conference March 1-3 in Spokane.

Visit the BHS Library to get more information on how the work being done at the BHS Library is supporting teaching and learning in a time when Ai is changing so quickly.

Thank you Ms. Chambers!

More Than Books: TuesD Chambers

At Ballard High School, TuesD Chambers can barely contain her excitement.

TuesD Chambers BHS Librarian-Teacher

Her love for her role as teacher-librarian is evident throughout the library. She has made the room a place where students can connect. There is a room for arts and crafts, areas for clubs to gather, and spaces for classes to meet. 

“What I believe is with any library it has to be more than books,” she said. “Your library has to be the heart of the school for everyone.” 

When the pandemic forced schools to close for nearly a year, Chambers had to get creative to attract students to check out books.

She organized curbside book checkouts – but with a twist. Students with a green thumb could pick up plant starters. One check-out day had a pet parade, and another had a band playing. The excitement around the library continued once schools reopened.

With the help of students, she created a group called Library Leaders. The goal is to build a community where everyone can be included, even if they don’t like to read. “We’ve done everything from ‘Blind Date with Books’ to podcasts to playlists to decorating the library … I learned pretty quickly that a library can’t exist with just one person.” 

Like Robert, Chambers also spends the bulk of her day supporting classrooms. Her library opens early and is usually packed with students before she even arrives. Once school begins, Chambers will spend four or five periods a day co-teaching a class. “I’m constantly doing the things teachers don’t have time to do,” she said. “I’m supporting staff in a way that I hope makes their lives easier and makes it more seamless for students to get resources.” 

Chambers knows the value of her role as Ballard’s teacher-librarian and others throughout the district. She is proud of the way students have found their place and built a community in her library. 

“To me, this is the biggest classroom in the school.” Read full article on the SPS website.

Welcome Ms. Bowman!

Ms. Bowman is the Library Assistant and Ms. Chambers is very excited to welcome her to the Ballard High School Library!

Britta has over 18 years of experience working in and with K-8 schools. She started as a parent volunteer when her daughter was in kindergarten and since then, has held various PTA leadership positions and spent many years tutoring elementary students in math. Prior to working in the BHS library, she was the registrar/administrative secretary at Salmon Bay K-8 school for six years. Working with students, staff and school communities brings much joy these past 18 years. She strongly believes in supporting all students in their educational and social/emotional needs and goals. When not working in the library, she spends time hiking in the PNW, gardening, reading, knitting and road tripping. 

Talisman Article with Library Assistant Ms. Bowman!

From the Nov. 8, 2023 Talisman Student School Newspaper article: If you have been visiting the library lately you may have noticed a new face checking out books and helping out students: Britta Bowman, the new library assistant. She helps out in the library, assisting students in finding books, checking out books, assisting students in any other ways they may need, as well as serving the community. “I have always liked books,” Assistant Librarian Bowman said. “When I was little, everybody in my family were big readers, so I would find if we were together as a family, that nobody would talk to me because they were all reading, so I (knew I) better start reading a book.”

Bowman also loves helping people and the library gives her a space to do this. “My favorite part about my job is probably interacting with the students and helping them find a book that they’re looking for,” Bowman said. “It’s nice to be surrounded by books of all kinds especially genres that I’m not familiar with ….” Read Talisman Staff Reporter Phoenix E. full story. Photo by Talisman photographer Tansy V.

Students! Service Learning Hours Available!

Students have earned Community Service Learning hours for:

• shelving books, processing books
• fixing shelves
• doing computer maintenance
• reading to 2nd grade students for Reading Buddies
• organizing our Makerspace
• creating online tutorials,
• making scrolling PowerPoint
• Makerspace craft, projects for lunchtime, make book displays, weed books
• create book posters on Adobespark
• create Rubik’s Cube murals
• read first chapters aloud for Youtube channel and Schoology
• theme Picture Books, clean the library, and create Book Collections on Ballard High School Library. 

Reach out to Ms Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org for specific details. Visit the BHS Service Learning page for school information and forms.

Students! View your Account For Books, Textbooks and Laptops Checked Out To You

Summer Beaver Reader List | Read S’More This Summer

Read books this summer and share your favorites with Ms. Chambers and your teachers in the Fall! Seattle Public Library Card Number is 990000 and Student ID (on ID card or at top of Source) and PIN is the month and day of your birth MMDD.

Ballard HS Library Virtual Tour

Take the BHS Library Survey!

Let us know how you would like to get involve, what do you like to do. How the library can support you in your search for happiness. Take the BHS Library Survey Today!

Summer Book Bingo

Every summer, the Seattle Arts and Lectures partners with The Seattle Public Library to create a Summer Book Bingo card as part of our free summer reading program. Adults 18 & up and Students 0-17 play along from May – September to be entered in a chance to win fabulous prizes. Download a Book Bingo Card