Student Life

Library Checks Out 10K Books This School Year

Abbygail Milburn, Editor • May 12, 2026

After the retirement of Heather Waters last school year, Atherton gained a new librarian this year. Susan Gasaway took the spot as the new librarian also known as the Library Media Specialist. Gasaway previously worked at PRP as an academic instructional coach. Once she became the new librarian, her mission was to revamp the library in hopes of more students letting the library be their comfort zone to hang out and enjoy a quiet scenery.

Throughout the year, Mrs. Gasaway’s mission became a successful reality.Over the course of this school year, more than 10k books have been checked out. Just in the month of April, more than 650 books were checked out despite spring break and testing starting to take off. With this achievement, Atherton’s library was ranked 2nd out of 26 other JCPS high schools.

“My whole goal is to make this a welcome place. I tried to do things that are fun like putting tchotchkes out every week and make sure there’s more space for more people to hang out and talk, just trying to do different displays and you know, make things more fun,” Gasaway said.

Sophomore Nathan Swanson is one Atherton student who’s noticed a difference in the library since last year. “I really like the new layout of the library,” said Swanson. “The space is nicely arranged and uses the space better.”

Freshman Juan Manual Bailon also enjoys stopping in the library, saying it’s a nice space and friendly atmostphere. “I really like how the librarian gives students special mini 3D items each month for the different holidays, like St Patrick’s Day.”

The top readers for the month of April from each grade were Alexander B. (9), Jenna Snyder (10), Nico Morris (11), and Adonius Lister (12) who read rou

ghly 15 books during the month of April, most of which being manga. “It’s exciting going back and getting a new book. Most of the books I read are in multiple parts, so I like going back and getting the next part,” said Lister.

Another big accomplishment for the library this year took place on April 24. The Jefferson County Association of School Librarians awarded principal Stephanie Fluhr with the Administrator of the Year award. This award is given annually to an administrator who shows dedication and commitment to the support of the school library program.

Principal Fluhr is honored as administrator of the year by the librarian association.

As the end of the school year approaches, the Atherton library has had a tremendous change, thanks to Mrs, Gasaway and Mrs. Cindy. For the 26-27 school year, the librarians have hopes of starting new trends that are engaging for more students, such as continuing to build the new academy library, which is a designated area of the library for books that relate to media arts, engineering and health sciences.

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About the Contributors

Abbygail Milburn, Editor

Abbygail Milburn,(12) is excited to be working on the Aerial this school year! Milburn is a co-editor for the Aerial and is looking forward to photographing sports, writing articles, and revising stories. Milburn is the Editor-In-Chief for the yearbook and has completed the media arts graphic design pathway. Milburn also has a passion for sports photography with her favorite being softball and baseball because of all the angles you can achieve of the players sliding to base. Outside of school, Abby is president of service to service, likes to read, and enjoys sports photography. She also has 2 german shepherds, Hades and Zena. After high school, she plans to pursue journalism and get a minor in marketing.

Callie Thornton, Editor

Callie Thornton (12) is an editor and writer. During her first year, Thornton first thought of participating in the Aerial as a way to fill a class period, but contrary to previous intentions, realized that she had fallen in love with journalism. In her second year on the Aerial, Thornton is excited to be deeply involved in journalism again. She has hopes for more perspectives to come through the newsite, expanding outside of school to see more impacts in the community. Thornton looks forward to the new team taking the Aerial to the next level. At Atherton, Thornton participates in archery and track. Passionate about movies, film, and photography, Thornton hopes to go to college to pursue a career in film. Thornton’s top three movies are The Iron Claw, The Way Way Back, and Mid90s. In her free time, she enjoys painting, scrapbooking, listening to music, and spending time with her cat named Tom.