March 6 the library received a $5,000 donation from the Sigma Gamma Roh Southwestern region chapter. The award was presented at a We Love Books event held in the library. In attendance was Little Rock Nine member Elizabeth Eckford, along with members of the Memory Project and Tiger Book Club.

“There’s not much money in the budget for libraries, so a donation like this is just an honor,” librarian Gina Carrico said. “A lot of the books in here are very old, and we have to remove them from the shelves, so the money will likely be used to get newer books for the students.”

Sigma Gamma Roh started the Wiser Initiative in 2020, promoting literacy across the country. When the chapter heard about the involvement of students in the library system, they bought all members of the book club a copy of Eckford’s book, The Worst First Day.

“The sorority wanted to ensure that each of the students was able to read the stories for themselves and kind of get a first-person perspective of what Elizabeth experienced and what it contributed to our history.” Senior Camarian Collier said.

Collier is a teacher monitor in the library, as well as a member of both the book club and the Memory Project.

“Being involved with the library has taught me how to elaborately tell stories to help connect people with the context of their high school,” Collier said. “The Memory Project helps with this, too. It is dedicated to preserving civil rights and Black history, not only at school, but also within the community.” 

The Memory Project is active in the community, from being interviewed for a PBS documentary to going to the initiation of statues of historical figures, such as Daisy L. Gatson Bates.

“It’s important that we are able to identify all aspects of a story,” Collier said. “Nothing should be left out, and people deserve the whole truth, not just because these things carry on, but also for the people experiencing them. We can see the impact that these events have.”

Involvement with the library provides students with opportunities that extend beyond the stories that they read.

“We read all genres of books in the book club, which is why I love it,” sophomore Kelby Dunn said. “We usually get to meet the authors and see the process behind publishing their book.”

Being able to meet influential authors and other important figures inspires students. 

“Seeing Elizabeth Eckford in person is so surreal,” Dunn said. “Ms. Eckford is a beacon of hope for me who motivates me to keep going.”

Students were given the opportunity to speak intimately with Eckford about her book and the impact that it has had on them and the school’s history.

“When you read widely,” Eckford said. “You expand your world. You can understand the world in a broader sense. Keep doing that.”