Whether you’re researching for your History Day project, using the computers to finish last minute homework at lunch or simply looking for some good reading, Dimond’s library has your back. Dimond’s library provides students with extensive resources. Dimond’s librarian, Suzanne Metcalfe, works hard to provide students with the right tools to aid them in their schoolwork. In addition, she updates the fiction collection as often as possible, buying the new sequels as soon as they come out. Metcalfe also tries to keep Dimond’s library up to date with the digital age. “We’re doing well,” says Metcalfe, “but we’re not cutting edge.” Online databases such as Digital Pipeline and World Book Online are available to students for free every day. And the computers are available for what the students need them for, even if they’re not the newest models. “Libraries are useful to me,” says Junior Emily Klopfer, “I can go check out books to help me with research projects.” “I check out manga from Dimond’s library,” says Sophomore Cayla Westfall, “Ms. Metcalfe keeps the manga collection really up to date.” “A world without libraries is like a man without a mind,” says Senior Kagan Weatherly. Amidst all this library love, the library is facing problems. The school district faces a $15 million budget cut this year. Everyone will suffer a little bit, but the library could suffer more than some of the other programs, if the recent budget cuts of the public library are any indication. This summer, the library had to close on weekends and Mondays because of budget issues, and things don’t seem to be looking up anytime soon. Even before the financial crisis many libraries in the school district were struggling. Several elementary school libraries have a budget of zero and have to raise money from book fairs and donations. “Dimond’s library has a lot of support from our principal,” says Metcalfe. But there’s still a lot more that could be done. “We could easily use 30 more computers,” says Metcalfe. The computers in the library are five years old, and the administrative computers are six years old. “I can’t always buy multiple copies of popular books,” says Metcalfe, “and books get put on hold.” During budget cuts one of the first things the district looks to cut are library assistants. “That turns librarians into a clerk, and not a teacher,” says Metcalfe. So far it seems that library budgets are doing okay. Students can show their love of the library by writing Mayor Dan Sullivan and voicing their support of the library. Even writing the school board and the superintendent, or showing up at school board meetings to show your support of libraries could have a huge impact.