Published Nov. 12, 2021
By MARCUS MICHIE
With more than 20 years of educational experience under his belt, Carmel High School’s new librarian, Philip Crawford, plans to revitalize the campus’s library through refreshing and updating its collection of literature and expanding student involvement in librarial decision-making.
Growing up in Pacific Grove, Crawford kick-started his educational career at Monterey Peninsula College, later transfering to University of California, Santa Cruz, where he doubled major in Feminist Studies and Literature. At San Francisco State University, he earned his teaching credential and master’s in English. While studying at San José State University, Crawford received his master of Library Science degree and gained an interest in children’s literature.
“It didn’t start as a burning desire to study children’s literature,” he says, “but once I discovered it was an option in graduate school it changed the direction of my education and career.”
Crawford joined the CHS staff in September and has welcomed his position as a facilitator of knowledge on campus.
“Everyone I met on my first day was super friendly and welcoming and throughout the day numerous staff members came by to introduce themselves,” he says. “The library environment felt warm and welcoming. I left at the end of the day feeling really positive about the experience, and it felt like a perfect fit for me.”
As a lover of literature, Crawford has written and revised various articles for a multitude of prestigious journals, including “The Horn Book,” the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children’s literature.
With the culmination of his literary knowledge, Crawford poured his wisdom into “Wonder Woman: The Fruit of All Evil,” a graphic novel which he wrote and published in 2014.
CHS librarian Philip Crawford looks forward to revamping the library. Photo by MARCUS MICHIE
“‘Wonder Woman’ was not just a comic, but a life-changing experience,” he says.
“Wonder Woman,” being an overtly feminist comic, influenced Crawford’s decision to delve into the lore surrounding her character.
In his time at CHS, Crawford plans to replace many of the library’s more dated books.
“The goal is to refresh and update the collection,” he says, “by getting rid of materials that are outdated and not of interest to students anymore.”
CHS staff and students are excited for Crawford’s literary renovation and look forward to a new and improved selection of materials.
“I think it’s great that the library is doing renovations to make it a more welcoming space for students,” CHS English teacher Dale DePalatis says. “The focus of a high school library should be on having good-quality, high-interest books available for students in a relaxed environment to encourage the enjoyment of reading.”
To further involve students in the library’s metamorphosis, Crawford has composed a student team advisory committee.
“The team is made so that students can work with me to shape the direction of what they’d like to see in the library,” he says.
Crawford is currently applying for a $5,000 grant, with the potential funds being dedicated to updating and expanding the graphic novel collection, as well as refreshing the literary selection.
