Nationally Recognized for Building a Culture of Readers

Nov 6 2024

Congratulations to Mrs. Sarah Downs, Central Catholic's Director of Library & Information Services, who was recently featured in the Sora Spotlight.

Sora is the national reading platform (app and website) that schools use to access eBooks and audiobooks from OverDrive. The public library equivalent of Sora is the Libby app. OverDrive is the provider of Sora and Libby.

Read the Sora Spotlight highlighting Mrs. Downs.

About the Sora Spotlight
Words of Thanks from Mrs. Downs
About Mrs. Sarah Downs
About the Catalano Memorial Library
Meet the Library Staff

About the Sora Spotlight

The Sora Spotlight series profiles educators who’ve become Sora champions at their school, impressing us with their creative strategies to get more students reading digitally. To inspire us all to find new ways to reach learners across our communities, we’ve asked them to share their stories of reading success.

Read the Sora Spotlight highlighting Mrs. Downs.

Words of Thanks from Mrs. Downs

"I want to thank you all for your continued support in building a culture of reading and readers here at Central," shared Mrs. Downs. "Ms. Julie Hayashi (Library Assistant) and I were just talking this week about how many students we've seen coming in on their own to grab a new book since the school year started."

"It's not an overnight thing but has happened slowly by partnering with English teachers to add independent reading to their curriculum and by showing students that we're here and ready to support them in their reading journey."

"Statistics from September and October of 2023 were 217 books checked out and we're already at 285 checkouts this year (almost 70 more books!). For Sora, we had 281 books opened and 250 hours read at this time last year, and this year we're already at 505 books opened and 409 hours read."

"I would be remiss without saying a big thank you to the wonderful library team of Ms. Julie Hayashi, Mrs. Jessica LaBrie, and Mrs. Jen Benson."

About Mrs. Sarah Downs

When Mrs. Downs joined the Central Catholic family in the Summer of 2022, the following profile was featured on the website.

Previously a journalist for nearly 10 years, Mrs. Downs started substitute teaching (her mom is a retired middle school librarian), and she found that she really enjoyed working with kids.

"It is also a job that is different every day and where you meet and get to know lots of people,"said Mrs. Downs. "I have worked in elementary and middle schools, but I am thrilled to 'graduate' up to high school where I can really make an impact in helping students pursue their passions and prepare for their future."

"I love books and learning and am a voracious reader of young adult literature. Getting young people excited about reading and finding connections to themselves and opening up new windows to other worlds, cultures and experiences makes every day rewarding."

After 11 years of teaching, Mrs. Downs was ready to take on an administrative role where she can help build a culture and community of reading in a school.

"Central Catholic felt right," said Mrs. Downs. "The campus community sets expectations and standards that are clear, where students are held accountable for working hard, being a good person and helping others."

Outside of the library, Mrs. Downs loves to read, garden, and enjoy the outdoors.

"I grow vegetables but also have extensive perennial gardens. I also enjoy watching home renovation shows and doing projects around my house. I have two small children so most of my free time is spent playing with them."

Mrs. Downs, who has an identical twin, has lived in a number of cities and towns across Massachusetts, but the most interesting place she’s lived is Ecuador.

She also finds time to serve the community through volunteer experiences that involve the outdoors, events like the Out of the Darkness Walk. She also enjoys donating and assisting families with supplies, clothing and toys for children whether locally or for people in other places in the world.

Mrs. Downs earned a Bachelor of Science from Boston University, a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Services, and a Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy from the University of Rhode Island.

Three students at pibrary table with iPad

About the Catalano Memorial Library

Dedicated to the Memory of G. Thomas Catalano '50 and Marie Catalano

Click here to visit the Catalano Memorial Page and to learn more about G. Thomas Catalano '50 and Marie Catalano.

Overview

The Catalano Memorial Library is a hub of student life. Students gather there before school, after school, and during lunch. Teachers bring their classes during the school day to make use of the resources and programs offered by the Library & Information Services Team. The library offers an abundance of online resources and tools, in addition to hosting events and programs.

History

The current site of the library opened in 1970 with 20,000 volumes on the third floor of the then newly-constructed Hampshire Street Building.

When the South Wing was completed in the 2004, the library was significantly expanded into the footprint of former science labs that now live on the Science Hall of the South Wing.

The library has continued to evolve and grow to meet the evolving needs of students and faculty.

Today's Library: Physical & Online Hub

Today, the Catalano Memorial Library is a bustling physical and online resource for the school community.

The Library maintains a collection of approximately 12,000 print volumes and 70 magazine subscriptions, with access to thousands more through its membership in the Massachusetts Library System.

All resources are carefully selected with the interests of students, faculty and curriculum in mind. Books, periodicals and electronic resources are updated and augmented regularly to meet the ever-changing information needs of the CCHS Community.

The Library also offers a host of events and programs featuring student art, topical themes, and recommendations, including:

The CCHS Book Club
National Library Month Events
Blind Date with a Book
March Book Madness
Book Bags
World Read Aloud Day
Summer Reading Recommendations
Therapy Animals

Students and teachers with a therapy dog

The CoLab - Collaborative Learning Space

One wing of the library has been transformed into an expansive and adaptable learning area that can be used for classes, group work and discussion, meetings, and conferences. This space serves as a resource for the Academic Success Center, classes, clubs, faculty, additional school groups, alumni, and the Board of Directors.