DAIS 20th Anniversary Series: How DAIS Built Its First Libraries

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, we’re sharing favorite moments that shaped DAIS.

In 2009, Trina Roth arrived as our first librarian, facing a room filled with over 100 boxes of books and a challenge to create two libraries from scratch. She turned that vision into reality, laying the foundation for a culture of learning that thrives today.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009: Library Grand Opening!

I was hired as the school librarian and started in August of 2009. My first impression of the library was an empty room and 114+ boxes of books.

^{Just a “few” boxes of books}

With a “little” help from many people at school, I spent the next month and a half setting up not one, but two libraries (elementary on the first floor and secondary on the second floor). We then planned the Grand Opening Ceremony on September 2, 2009. It began at 8:45 with the entire school (and a number of parents) gathered outside the front of the building. Kurt Nordness (the director) had a little speech prepared and then the fun began. It’s Chinese tradition to light off fireworks at the opening or close of something big. As fireworks are quite expensive, we decided to light off firecrackers. There were two huge coils of crackers and as the guards lit them, the crowd inhaled collectively. And bang, bang, boom! Off they went! It was so loud and so fun! Even the little kids were excited; there was so much red confetti floating all around.

^{Laying down and lighting the firecrackers}

^{Running for cover}

^Boom!

Following the firecrackers, the elementary kids filed into the first floor library (their library) and we had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Terry (the library assistant) and I shared a pair of scissors and cut the red ribbon to celebrate the official opening of the library. The kids all cheered, and we went happily off to begin our day.

^{Holding the scissors at the ready}

^{Yay! Open for business!}

Written by Trina Roth
First DAIS Librarian