The Hamilton Preparatory School library has received an exciting shipment of 250 new books to add to its collection. Head Librarian Ms. Helen Zhang carefully selected the titles based on student requests, curriculum needs, award winners, and diversity in voices and perspectives. The new books are now available for checkout.
## Fiction Arrivals
**Young Adult Fiction (85 books):**
- Latest releases from popular YA authors including Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, Leigh Bardugo, and Nicola Yoon
- Award winners: National Book Award finalists, Newbery Medal, Printz Award winners
- Diverse genres: contemporary realism, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, historical fiction, romance
- Series continuations: completing popular series like "Six of Crows," "The Inheritance Games," and "The Lunar Chronicles"
**Notable titles:**
- "The Sun and the Star" by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
- "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" series by Holly Jackson
- "Chain of Iron" by Cassandra Clare
- "Cemetery Boys" by Aiden Thomas
- "Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo
**Classic Literature (25 books):**
- Replacing worn copies of frequently assigned books
- Expanding classic fiction collection
- Diverse voices in classics: Toni Morrison, Gabriel García Márquez, Chinua Achebe
**Graphic Novels (40 books):**
- Award-winning graphic novels and manga
- Superhero comics, memoirs, fantasy adventures, contemporary stories
- Titles by Gene Luen Yang, Raina Telgemeier, Marjane Satrapi
## Non-Fiction Additions
**Biography and Memoir (30 books):**
- Contemporary figures in sports, science, politics, arts, activism
- Historical biographies of diverse leaders and changemakers
- Memoirs by diverse authors sharing unique perspectives
**Science and Technology (25 books):**
- Climate science and environmental issues
- Space exploration and astronomy
- Artificial intelligence and computer science
- Biology, physics, chemistry for various reading levels
- STEM careers and innovators
**History and Social Studies (20 books):**
- World history from diverse perspectives
- American history including underrepresented narratives
- Current events and contemporary issues
- Cultural studies and anthropology
**Self-Help and Wellness (15 books):**
- Teen mental health and wellness
- Study skills and academic success strategies
- Social-emotional learning topics
- Career exploration and college planning
**Arts and Hobbies (10 books):**
- Visual arts techniques and art history
- Music, theater, dance
- Creative writing and poetry
- Photography and filmmaking
## Selection Process
Ms. Zhang selected titles based on:
- **Student requests:** 85 specific title requests from students via suggestion forms
- **Curriculum support:** Teacher recommendations for classroom units and research projects
- **Professional reviews:** School Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book recommendations
- **Award winners:** Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, National Book Award, and other literary awards
- **Diversity priorities:** Authors and characters representing varied identities, experiences, and perspectives
- **Circulation data:** Popular genres and authors with high checkout rates
- **Series completion:** Filling gaps in popular series
- **Reading level variety:** Books spanning elementary through high school reading levels
## Diversity and Representation
The new collection prioritizes diverse voices:
- Authors from varied racial, ethnic, cultural backgrounds
- LGBTQ+ characters and authors
- Characters with disabilities and neurodiversity
- Stories from different countries and cultures
- Both "own voices" authors and cross-cultural narratives
- Multiple perspectives on historical events
"Every student should see themselves reflected in our collection and learn about experiences different from their own," noted Ms. Zhang. "Diverse books build empathy, broaden perspectives, and validate all students' identities."
## Student Reactions
Students browsed the new arrivals display during lunch periods, with 48 books checked out on the first day.
"I'm so excited the library got the books I requested!" said sophomore Emma Liu. "I've been waiting months to read the new Leigh Bardugo book."
Junior Marcus Williams added: "The new science books will be perfect for my research project on renewable energy. Having current information makes a huge difference."
## Library Collection Stats
With these additions, the library collection includes:
- 25,000+ total volumes
- 8,500 fiction books
- 12,000 non-fiction books
- 1,200 reference materials
- 2,000 graphic novels
- Plus 5,000 e-books and 2,000 audiobooks digitally
Annual circulation: 18,000 checkouts averaging 21 books per student
## How to Request Books
Students can request specific titles:
- Suggestion forms available at circulation desk
- Online request form on library website
- Email Ms. Zhang directly
- Requests considered for quarterly orders
Ms. Zhang reviews all requests and adds titles when appropriate for collection and budget. Most requested books added within 2-3 months.
## Budget and Funding
The library's annual acquisitions budget of $35,000 funds new materials:
- $25,000 from school operating budget
- $10,000 from Parent Association fundraising
- Additional grants for special projects
Approximately 1,200 new items added annually, with 800 worn or outdated items removed to maintain collection quality.
## Coming Soon
Additional materials on order:
- Subscription database expansion for research support
- E-book collection growth
- Audiobooks for accessibility and enjoyment
- Graphic novels for reluctant readers
- Updated reference materials
## Visit the Library
New books displayed prominently on "New Arrivals" shelf near entrance. Students encouraged to browse, check out books, and submit recommendations for future purchases.
Library hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM