By Erica Rodriguez

Peoria Independent

November 4, 2009

PHOTO: Sunrise Mountain High School librarian Karlene Edwards makes a difference in the lives of students.

PEORIA - Librarians have a stereotype of shushing library patrons and collating books, but high school librarian Karlene Edwards breaks the stereotypes with her welcoming attitude and love for technology.

Ms. Edwards has worked in libraries for more than 20 years and has shown dedication, passion and a knack for combining old practice with modern digital application.

She recently won the Follett School Librarian of the Year award for the state of Arizona.

“I was very pleased”, Ms. Edwards said. “I felt great and it was a real honor. I was very shocked when I heard the news.”

Sunrise Mountain English teacher Jennifer Kubo, who has worked with Ms. Edwards for four years, said the Follett award was ‘well-deserved’ and she’s devoted to helping students and teachers in both technological help and finding good books to read.

“She is definitely dedicated and hardworking,” Ms. Kubo said. “She’ll drop anything for anyone. She’s constantly finding new ways to teach students with electronic resources.”

Sunrise Mountain Assistant Principal Donna Short said Ms. Edwards has always been on the front lines of technology, since the beginning of the Sunrise Mountain Library.

“Ms. Edwards has always been a key player in training in the technology services,” Ms. Short said. “She trains teachers to set up Web pages, links and electronic resources to help students. There is no better resource than Karlene Edwards.”

Ms. Short said that Ms. Edwards was the first person to say the word ‘Google’ to her. Ms. Edwards has seen a transition and modernization of technology in the library world and has grown with it through her years as a librarian.

“I remember when there used to be the card catalogs and you had to file each card,” Ms. Edwards said. “Now you have the transition of grades into the computers, SMART boards and projectors.”

“It’s just not about books for Karlene,” Ms. Short said. “Even though, that’s of course very valuable.”

Ms. Edwards excels at her job because of her passion.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “I love everything, the books, the kids, the teaching and the technology.”

Sunrise Mountain High School senior and library assistant Britne Clark said she can see the passion in how helpful she is.

“She has everything in order,” Ms. Clark said. “If someone walks in and they have a lost look on their face, she knows exactly how to help. She’s very helpful. She’s very passionate about a lot of stories. If I’m going through a dry spell in good books, she has some really good suggestions.”

Ms. Edwards said her favorite books include Pride and Prejudice, The Anne of Green Gables series and the Little House on the Prairie books.

“They create another world for me,” Ms. Edwards said. “If I’m really interested in the book, I disappear into another world. I don’t force myself to read a book that doesn’t appeal to me, though. I don’t want to waste my time when I can be reading really good books.”

Ms. Edwards extends her love for reading to students and teachers though programs.