Springfield-Greene County Library employees are encouraged to partner with other public entities to do what they can to help where help is needed.

“Partnering with other groups to make good things happen has always been one of our ongoing goals,” said Executive Director Annie Busch. “When we can combine skills and resources with other people in the community, the collaboration benefits everyone involved.”

A recent example is an innovative and rewarding partnership with a staff member at the Brentwood Branch and a Springfield Public Schools teacher.

Stephanie Hertzog, a young woman who’s worked for three years as a reference and teen librarian, met Katie Lebeck, a sixth-grade academic recovery class teacher at Hickory Hills Middle School, last summer when Lebeck was completing an externship at the east Springfield branch library.

“During her time here, she and I began to discuss ways we could partner and bring the library into her classroom,” said Hertzog. “As a result, I have been doing monthly visits to her room since the beginning of the school year.”

During these visits, Hertzog taught library skills, solicited input about how to improve the teen departments at the branch libraries and discussed young adult literature.

“The students in this class are those who are not quite ready to face some of the extra challenges of middle school,” said Hertzog. “Rather than changing classrooms and instructors for each subject, they stay primarily with one teacher in a smaller class setting so that they are able to receive the extra, individualized attention they need.”

These fall semester activities were so successful that Lebeck decided to apply for a grant to the Springfield Public Schools Foundation for funding to bring her class to the Brentwood Branch Library. The grant will allow for four visits during the current semester.

“Katie and I hope that through these visits, we could extend library education and services to students who might not otherwise be able to access the library as well as bring something ‘extra’ to the students to help them with their studies,” said Hertzog.

During the visits, Lebeck will work with the students on a project to create their own original “picture” book which they will take back to school to share with younger students in the Hickory Hills elementary wing. At other sessions, Hertzog will conduct book discussions.

“I’ve been extremely pleased with our partnership and what we’ve been able to create through these visits,” added Hertzog. “It’s what makes my work fun and enjoyable.”

Jeanne C. Duffey, the community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District, can be reached at jeanned@thelibrary.org.