The hard work of one library media specialist, Harry Coffill, has recently earned him the 2023 Ruby Brown Award for Individual Excellence by the Michigan Association of School Librarians. The Godfrey-Lee district deeply appreciates Coffill’s influence, from acquiring more than $250,000 in grant funding to spearheading refurbishments of three libraries for improved student learning resources. With a life strongly influenced by literature, Coffill is no stranger to the importance of school libraries, having imparted his wisdom throughout the highest-priority renovation and design of the library space that stands at Godfrey-Lee’s new construction.
The unwavering dedication and innovative efforts of Harry Coffill, the esteemed library media specialist at Godfrey-Lee, have earned him the distinguished 2023 Ruby Brown Award for Individual Excellence. This award, given by the Michigan Association of School Librarians, recognizes someone who has significantly improved school library services through innovative and valuable programs. During his five-year stint at the district, Coffill secured over a quarter of a million dollars in grant funding, leading the renovation of three district libraries and dramatically enhancing students’ access to learning resources. With a rich English teacher and drama club director background, Coffill harbors a deep-rooted affinity for books and understands the pivotal role of school libraries.
Stan Lee’s Impact
He was amazed by the works of science fiction authors Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury, but Stan Lee (of Marvel Comics fame) had an even more significant impact on his life. Stan’s stories about teenagers who didn’t fit in and various races, sexual orientations, and skin colors were exceptionally inspiring. He credited Stan for creating his enthusiasm for reading. Every year, he re-reads ‘The Media Lab: Inventing the Future at M. I. T.’ by Stewart Brand, as it reminds him of how information should be both free and expensive. This idea has become the foundation of his teaching.
Godfrey-Lee District Prioritizing Library Space
Godfrey-Lee district proudly prioritizes its library, making it the heart of its new construction. They are making it more accessible to students and the community, turning it into the jewel and center point for what they do in the building. Instead of eliminating the library space, Godfrey-Lee is making it bigger by adding windows and couches. According to Harry Coffill, Godfrey-Lee’s library media specialist, this encourages kids to enjoy reading by appealing to their interests while teaching them empathy through literature.
The Godfrey-Lee district is taking an innovative approach to its new construction: prioritizing its library and making it more accessible to students and the community. Rather than eliminating the library space, they are transforming it into a modern learning and personal development hub. With the addition of windows and couches, the library has been given a shine that will appeal to student interests and encourage reading. Harry Coffill, the Godfrey-Lee library media specialist, believes that this transformation will make the library a desirable place to be and instill empathy in students through literature.
Diverse Selection of Books
The school library is proud to offer students diverse books that provide windows into other people’s lives and help them understand the world around them. The shelves are filled with stories from all backgrounds, including multiple copies of world religious texts in both English and Spanish. The library staff believes that it is essential to ensure everyone’s stories are represented and that students remain open-minded and tolerant of different points of view.
Alexis Stark: Celebrated Journalist and Poet
Godfrey-Lee residents have much to be proud of, as the district library is set to receive an upgrade with the help of a grant. This generous donation from the community will give the library a much-needed boost and provide locals with even better resources and materials. Alexis Stark, a celebrated journalist who covers Byron Center, Caledonia, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills, and Thornapple Kellogg, has been instrumental in increasing understanding and awareness of various human identities through her co-authored guides and coverage of features for The State News. Her poetry chapbook, “Learning to Sleep in the Middle of the Bed,” has also been widely praised.
Harry Coffill’s dedication to library studies and literature has enormously affected the Godfrey-Lee district. His passion for reading improved it and implanted a sense of appreciation and understanding of its importance in the students he interacts with. The Michigan Association of School Librarians’ Ruby Brown Award for individual excellence and the improvements to their district’s libraries prove that his efforts have paid off. Hopefully, Harry Coffill’s techniques will appeal to more youth and help them find joy and passion for learning through books.
