“A typical day for me starts at 6:45 in the morning. I come in, I turn on all of the computers. I get the laminator going, open all the doors, and I sign into my own computer and wait for kids to get here,” Tracy Cochran, library assistant, described as the start of their day.

Cochran has worked as a librarian at the high school for four years. They work side by side with Rebecca Fawcett, librarian, everyday in the library. Work can be more difficult without Fawcett.

“If Mrs. Fawcetts not here, then it’s a bigger challenge, because she knows the library like the back of her hand…When Mrs.

Fawcett was gone for the first month of the school year, I felt like my right arm had been cut off,” Cochran said.

Cochran and Fawcett share a bond from working together at the library. Cochran has also formed bonds with many students over the years.

“It’s really always been the kids and students, and the relationship with them, and just getting to know them, getting to know about them, their life, their ambitions, their, you know, where they want to go from high school,” Cochran said, “To think that I might’ve had some little, small part in that…”

Cochran enjoys meeting new students and getting to know them because it thrills them that books allow everyone to explore.

“[My favorite part is] the kids. Getting them to see things that they don’t see or haven’t seen, or haven’t experienced yet before, whether it’s, you know, getting them to read books…[It’s the best],” Cochran said. 

They love recommending and helping people find books to read. 

“There is one girl that I’ve–She came and checked in two books, and she’s like, ‘Okay, I’m ready for another book,’ and she told me right at the beginning of the year, ‘I am not a reader,’ and she’s read through three [books] now.”

Cochran also enjoys reading. They are a strong believer in books and their power to open new possibilities.

“If we don’t have books, how do we explore? How do we learn? How do we adventure…To be able to pick it up, and hold it in your hands, and read what it could be about…” Cochran said.