Library Update

The library renovations are nearly complete, and we thank the DCHS community for its patience during this remarkable two week transformation of our primary learning area. We expect to dedicate our new Bernardine Franciscan Learning Center some time this Spring. As soon as we re-open, our new hours will be 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 10 am to 2pm. We expect to offer a "Necessary Ninety" program between 3:30 and 5pm to provide students with a structured homework help clinic during the week. Saturday's weekly study hall will focus on time management and organization skills. The central services that we will support in addition to college readiness remediation and enrichment programs (Countdown to Victory, Necessary Ninety, Saturday Study Hall, HSPT, ACT, SAT, CLEP, College Tours) will include the following core library functions: reference, interlibrary loan, information literacy and instructional technology support (WIZIQ).

We will have 2500 books on our shelves. Beginning February 10, we will launch our "What's in your library?" campaign. Every member of our community (students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni) will be invited to speak on behalf of two books that will reside on our shelves. Every year, graduating seniors will be invited to take their two books with them to college to start their personal libraries. Every year, entering freshmen will be invited to select two books for their high school journey. Through this initiative, we will seed thousands of Falcon libraries over time. This effort represents one of the many ways in which we will have made the Parable of the Sower our guiding narrative. Gospel values have shaped the design of the space, the collection and the services we offer.

Among the highlights of the new space will be a wall to honor the service of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters who built this school and our tradition of excellence. The Prayer of St Francis will be visible from both entrances and inscribed on the wall at the center of the cross that defines our physical space. There will be two laptop computer carts and one laptop locker to support instructional technology initiatives. We will continue to charge for use of the industrial grade printer, copier, scanner that we started leasing this year. Cubbyholes will be used to highlight academic success stories and college admissions highlights. They will also serve as reserve shelves for classroom projects and dual enrollment college textbooks. We invite you to come and tour the new space and celebrate this very generous gift that supports so profoundly the mission and vision of the school. To learn more about any of the service, collection or space upgrades to the new Bernardine Franciscan Learning Center, please contact Mr. Danielson-Francois at 313-562-1990 ext 272 or .