Library looks to branch out in Nahant

NAHANT – Fifth-grader Joseph Giardella likes the Johnson School library because it is “cozy and small,” but town officials are thinking big to boost school library spending and make the school reading room a stronger teaching tool.The Johnson library will become a town branch library during a several month-long transition period that includes cataloging the library?s collection and renovating the reading and storage space.?This will give us a chance to put books in the hands of kids that they are interested in,” said Johnson Principal Diane Mulcahy.Town Library Director Sheridan Montgomery said branch status will allow library patrons to borrow from the school?s book collection, and teachers will be able to tap the town library?s resource and multi-community borrowing ability.?The only thing that won?t be happening is the general public will not be walking in and out of the school,” Montgomery said.Although Johnson School?s 171 students include dedicated readers like Giardella and Grace and Maddie Hudson, it relies on book donations and periodic book fairs to expand its resources. Mulcahy wants to build the school library?s nonfiction collection as part of school efforts to meet state curriculum standards.?The library has not been able to grow every year with a healthy addition of books over a broad base,” Mulcahy said.Montgomery said town children?s librarian Kim Carmody-Hosker will bring her expertise to the children?s library. All Johnson students use the library, but fifth-graders like Max Gadon go to the book stacks to relax.Library aide Terry Clark keeps stacks of cushions stored for students to sit on and fifth-graders like the Hudson twins know just where to look to find their favorite books. During a break from the classroom, Michaela Maher grabbed a cushion and a volume in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” collection.?I just love to read,” she said.Before the next school year starts, library workers will familiarize Johnson teachers with additional reading resources available through the town library.?I?m just excited the kids will have more resources,” Carmody-Hosker said.