Sharon Springs Central School Bids Farewell to Beloved Librarian, Mrs. Bivins, After Almost 30 Years

Heather Bivins, a respected librarian and media specialist at Sharon Springs Central School (SSCS), has retired after almost 30 years of service. Mrs. Bivins started her career at SSCS in 1995. She played a key role in the school library's transition to the digital age. However, due to health concerns, she retired earlier than planned in March 2024.

During her time at SSCS, Mrs. Bivins showed dedication to the students and a strong commitment to education. She taught library skills to K-7 students and helped introduce the internet to the school in 1996. She also partnered with SUNY-Cobleskill to achieve this. Her role grew to include buying and cataloging new books, gathering resources for teachers, working on classroom research projects, managing library inventory, and running school book fairs.

Mrs. Bivins faced a significant challenge during the 2000-2001 capital project. The school was building a new addition, including the library. This required every book to be packed and moved. Mrs. Bivins managed this transition, ensuring the library was ready when the new addition was completed.

Mrs. Bivins also worked to encourage a love for reading among students. She ran a Library Club, organized a Reading Olympics, hosted library fun hours, and arranged book swaps. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started a 'Where's Waldo' research game called 'Where in the World is Mrs. Bivins?'.

In 2011, Mrs. Bivins began teaching Family and Consumer Science to avoid her role being reduced to part-time due to budget cuts. She earned her FCS teaching certification through online classes. Despite the career change, she enjoyed teaching the course. Mrs. Bivins highlighted the ongoing need for librarians in schools, stating they guide students towards reliable information and promote lifelong learning.

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