The library at LCE recently received a $500 donation from the Orange Lions Club. The funds from this donation were used to help students buy books at a recent Scholastic Book Fair, which was held on the week of March 2 to March 6 during Read Across America Week.
This donation was presented to the library prior to the start of the book fair. This donation gave many students the opportunity to buy new books and bring them home, who would not have been able to otherwise.
This is not the first significant donation that the LCE library has received. Several years ago, the LCE PTO helped raise money for new tables and chairs for the library. This gave students a more comfortable and welcoming environment when entering the library.
“In addition to the Lions Club donation, the library also received another generous donation this year from a local business that asked to remain private,” LCE librarian Tammi Halliburton said. “That gift was also used during the book fair to help students purchase books. In the past, the library has also received support from community partners such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis, and the LCE PTO.”
The goal of this donation is to help support students discover books they may be interested in and kindle a spark for reading. Without this donation, many students would never have the chance to purchase any books at the book fair.
“Not every child has access to books at home, so opportunities like book fairs and community donations help make sure more students can own books and begin building their own home libraries,” Halliburton said. “Support from organizations like the Lions Club and other community partners truly makes a difference for our students.”
Halliburton has been serving as the librarian at LCE for four years. She recently earned her degree in Master of Library Science in 2024. According to Halliburton, her role as a librarian has been a wonderful experience, working with students and collaborating with teachers and staff to support learning across the campus.
“The library is truly a shared space where we work together to build curiosity, encourage reading, and support what students are learning in their classrooms,” Halliburton said.
As well as working as the school librarian, Halliburton has also been improving her leadership skills.
“This is my second year serving in a leadership role with the Texas Library Association’s New Members Round Table,” Halliburton said. “Last year I served as treasurer, and this year I am serving as a councilor. In the future, I would also like to participate in the Tall Texans leadership program through TLA.”
Before she became the school librarian, Halliburton was an English teacher for many years. She always loved helping students pick out books that were perfect for them, which is one major reason that ultimately inspired her to become a librarian.
“My parents always encouraged reading, and I also had an aunt who was a librarian who supported my love of books,” Halliburton said. “Those early influences helped inspire my path to becoming a librarian and continue to shape the way I share books with students today.”
According to Halliburton, her favorite part about being a librarian is that she gets to be the first librarian for many students. She works with students as young as pre-K and gets to watch them learn and grow as readers.
“Being someone’s first librarian is a role I take seriously, because those early experiences with books can shape how a child feels about reading for years to come,” Halliburton said. “While every student develops at their own pace, I want all of them to leave the library feeling comfortable with books and excited about stories.”
Being a librarian can be challenging and time-consuming, but Halliburton is passionate about her job, and she is committed to providing the best possible library experience for students.
“My goal is to continue building a strong culture of reading on our campus and encourage curiosity and a love of learning in our students,” Halliburton said. “I want the library to be a place where students feel excited to explore books and develop lifelong reading habits.”
