HHS Library

We are so excited to kick off a new school year at Helena High! Our goal is simple: to make the library a welcoming, useful, and engaging space for students and staff. Whether you need a book recommendation, research help, technology support, a place to collaborate, or just want to bounce around an idea, come see us!

Taylee Schlauch - Librarian

I’m so excited to be joining the Helena High community this year! I graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Literature and English Education and spent 10 years teaching English, including at Great Falls High School and Capital High School. For the past three years, I served as the librarian at Capital, and I’m thrilled to be starting this new chapter at Helena High. I live in Helena with my husband, Cory, and our two kids, Mila and Walker. Outside of school, I love reading, coffee, spending time with my family, and adding entirely too many books to my TBR list. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, and Bengal community — and helping make the library a welcoming, useful, and fun place for everyone!

Laurie Sechrist-Scruggs - Librarian

I am so excited for the adventures in store for me as an HHS Librarian. Previously, I was an Adult Education Instructor teaching Family Literacy and English Language Learner classes. After moving to Montana, I got my MA in Secondary English Education. I then taught English at CHS and CR Anderson. I feel so lucky to be a Bengal now. In these first weeks of school, I have had countless learning experiences, a few embarrassing moments in front of Mr. Kessler, a ton of interactions with our awesome students, and an all-around good time. When not in these hallowed halls, I love spending time with my family, being outside in the sunshine, eating good food and drinking good coffee, playing music and singing, practicing yoga/working out, and reading–usually a few books at a time. I would love to chat books with you, get your recommendations, or just say hello.

Dilan Scheske - Library Secretary

Dilan attended Helena College for two semesters before launching a career in

administration. He spent over four years as a receptionist for a nonprofit organization,

followed by another four years serving as an administrative assistant in the Director's

Office for the Department of Corrections. Dilon is thrilled to bring his extensive

administrative experience to the Helena School District team! He resides in Helena, where

he proudly helps his mother care for his autistic nephew. Outside of the library, Dilan

enjoys drawing, exercising, gaming, listening to music, watching anime, and diving into a

good book.

The HPSD News Literacy Project Team is excited to announce NewsWise Monthly, a monthly digital literacy challenge designed to help you develop stronger online skills. Each month, you’ll find 3 mini challenges that test your knowledge and sharpen your digital smart.

Why Participate?

-Complete the challenges and be entered into a drawing to win a giftcard.

-Gain practical tips to navigate the digital word safely and confidently.

How to Join:
1. View the 3 mini challenges below.

2. Enter your answers on the Google Form.

3. Click View Score at the end to see explanations.

Thanks for being part of the movement. Let’s make digital literacy a habit across our district.

So far, we’ve been:

• Checking out Chromebooks and other technology
• Getting books into students’ hands (we've checked out books to about 450 students so far!)
• Helping students learn their way around the library
• Meeting students and staff
• Learning more about Helena High
• Creating new book displays
• Adding new titles to the collection
• Getting the library ready for a year full of reading, research, creativity, and collaboration
• Media Literacy Lessons

We’re still learning, building, organizing, and figuring out how we can best support HHS — and we’re excited about what’s ahead!

Come Check Out What’s New!

Looking for your next read?

Stop by the library to check out our:

• New arrivals
• Genre displays
• Featured books
• Staff recommendations
• Student favorites

Not sure what you like? That’s okay! Tell us what you’ve enjoyed before — a book, movie, show, game, genre, or even just the kind of mood you’re looking for — and we’ll help you find something.

Chromebook Reminders

You’ll find a small Chromebook insurance reminder in your mailbox. Please help us encourage all students to purchase Chromebook insurance if they haven’t already! Insurance is only $15 for the year and can save families from much larger repair or replacement costs if something happens to a student’s device. Also, just a friendly Chromebook reminder: we do not send out “loaner” Chromebooks for the day when a student forgets theirs or has an unresolved device issue. This helps us avoid students accumulating multiple device charges on their accounts, which can quickly turn into a pretty significant bill. If a student needs computer access and it works for your class, they are always welcome to come to the library and work with us on one of our computers instead.

If you have a chance, please mention Chromebook insurance to students in class, advisory, or whenever you’re helping with device issues. We really appreciate your help getting the word out!

A Book for Every Student

We would love to help every student at Helena High find at least one book this year that they genuinely enjoy.

Have a student who is:

• Caught up on work?
• Looking for something to do during study hall?
• In need of a screen break?
• Not sure what to read?
• Convinced they “don’t like books”?

Send them our way! We’re happy to help students browse, talk through their interests, and find something that feels right for them. Just remember: students need a pass during class time.

Quarterly Goals

We want the library to be more than a place to check out books — we want it to be a space where students can read, explore, question, create, and lead.

This year, we’re organizing much of our library programming around four big themes. These guide our Library Media Tech program, but they’ll also shape displays, activities, collaborations, lessons, and opportunities for students throughout the school year.

Quarter 1: Becoming a Reader
Quarter 2: Becoming an Information Expert
Quarter 3: Becoming a Creator
Quarter 4: Becoming a Library Leader

This quarter, we’re hoping to visit as many PLC groups as we can! We’d love to hear what you’re working on in your classrooms, learn more about your upcoming units and goals, and find ways the library can best support you and your students. Whether it’s research, resources, collaboration, technology, literacy support, or something else entirely—we’d love to be part of the conversation!

Library Club - "Read and Feed"

We’re beginning Library Club on Tuesdays as a way for students to connect over books, recommendations, and reading. Students AND staff are welcome whether they read constantly or are just starting to find books they enjoy. We will also be crafting on club days! Our first book is One of Us is Lying.

FabLab Fridays

Fridays are for making! We’ll be putting out rotating crafts, Makerspace materials, creative activities, and other hands-on opportunities for students. Students do not have to be “artsy” or experienced — they can simply stop by, try something new, and create.

Big Read Books

Stop down into the library (or encourage your students!) to come grab a Big Read book. Click the book for all of the upcoming activities related to the Big Read