Hello! I'm Camille Ryckman, the Digital Teacher Librarian at Columbine High School, and I'm thrilled to be starting my second year in this amazing library. Every day, I see our outstanding teachers, staff, and students make this place special. Whether students are curling up with a good book, getting some study time in, or just finding a comfortable spot to unwind during lunch or their off period, the library has become a vibrant hub of our school community.

Whether you're new to Jeffco Schools or a returning family, we want you to know about all the resources available to your student in our library. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, supportive space where every student can thrive.

We're your first stop for Chromebook assistance! Whether your device:

• Won't turn on
• Has a broken screen
• Had an unfortunate encounter with liquid ...we're here to help!

Chromebook Loaner Program

Need a temporary device? We've got you covered:

• Students get 3 no-questions-asked loaner days per school year
• Devices must be returned by end of day
• After 3 loans, we request keys, phone, or wallet as collateral
• Look out for the bright yellow "LOANER" sticker!

Note: While most students only need occasional loaners, extended borrowing does impact availability for others. If you spot a loaner Chromebook at home, please encourage your student to return it to the library.

Your student has access to:

• Flexible study spaces for both individual and group work
• An extensive book collection
• Board games and puzzles for break times
• Printing services
• In-library school supplies including:
  • Glue sticks
  • Colored pencils
  • Note cards
  • Paper
  • And much more!

Most importantly, we're here to help! If your student needs anything for their schoolwork, please encourage them to ask. Our goal is to support every student's academic success by providing the resources they need.

Digital Teacher Librarians wear many hats, each essential to creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for their future. Let me break down what this means for your student:

The Digital Expert

I help students:

• Navigate our ever-evolving digital world confidently

• Develop critical thinking skills for evaluating online information

• Use technology tools effectively and responsibly

• Build digital citizenship skills for their future

The Teacher

In this role, I:

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to enhance learning

• Guide students in research and information literacy

• Design learning experiences that integrate technology meaningfully

• Support students in becoming independent, lifelong learners

The Librarian

As your librarian, I:

• Create an inclusive, welcoming space for all students

• Curate and catalog resources to support both classroom teaching and student interests

• Build and maintain collections that reflect our diverse community

• Foster a love of reading and discovery

• Connect students with books and resources that spark their interests

• Ensure easy access to materials through thoughtful organization and cataloging

Together, these elements create a library program that supports your student's growth, curiosity, and success in today's digital world.

Since I started here last year, my focus has been on building a strong and meaningful foundation for the Columbine library. To guide this work, I’ve used the Colorado State Library Services Standards for schools, which provide a clear framework for developing an effective library that grows alongside our school community. These standards are laid out in the “Highly Effective Schools through Libraries” guide, published by the state.

The five key standards that shape a successful library program are:

1. Planning

2. Management

3. Environment

4. Teaching

5. Leadership

With Principal Scott Christy’s support, I outlined specific goals for the library’s Planning and Management areas. Over the year, I documented my progress and applied for recognition, resulting in being awarded both the Planning and Management Badges for our school.

This year, I’ll be focusing on the Environment standard. I got a jump on this over the summer by installing shelving created by students to warm the space, the library also has a new mural that is visually stunning and helps add a little color to a space that was plain and boring. I’ve also rearranged seating and furniture to create spaces that support various student needs—whether it’s learning, studying, meeting with others, attending classes, or simply relaxing.