Like many high school libraries, the EHS library is a location in the school that provides a place to borrow books, computers to research
information, and a quiet place to work during AcLab. But the EHS library also offers something more unexpected: a place to build life skills. Each Wednesday, the EHS library hosts a program called Way Forward Wednesday. Way Forward Wednesday is a class, usually after school, that teaches students important life skills.

“Way Forward Wednesday is taken from a library community called
Real World Skills,” EHS librarian Dr. Eiswirth said. “We are trying to incorporate skills that students need in the real world but are not taught in a class.”

Past Way Forward Wednesdays at Eureka have featured professionals teaching skills in their field. The intent is to help students find a career path that is interesting to them.

“One time our school nurse came and talked to us about healthcare and how to stop a bleeding injury,” Eiswirth said. Other Way Forward Wednesdays have taught topics requested by students.

“Recently, we did one that we’re going to do again and that’s a class where you learn how to read nutrition labels,”Eiswirth said. “Some things that students have asked for in the past were making a call for a doctor’s appointment, telling them how to get insurance, and even how to sign a lease for rent in an apartment.”

Whether students are simply curious or don’t have someone to teach them these life skills outside of school, Way Forward Wednesdays offer
EHS students a place to become more prepared for their future.

Another unique feature of the EHS library is its book displays. These displays stand at the front of the library and highlight different books.
Each month, the theme of the display and the books that are spotlighted are determined by Dr. Eiswirth.

“[The displays] stay all month and are the first thing you see when you walk in,” Eiswirth said. “They’re meant to motivate you to grab more books.”

Eiswirth keeps her audience in mind when creating each display. “When I make a display, I try to make it seasonal, but inclusive,” Eiswirth said. One specific display has been a hit amongst Eureka students.

“Our most popular display and most viewed is our Era’s Tour display, which is Taylor Swift-themed,” Eiswirth said.

Thanks to our librarians, the EHS library is a unique, useful source. Between its eye-catching book displays and Way Forward Wednesdays, the EHS library is a great place for students to continue to develop both their life and academic skills.