Bay View Library Hooks Readers Early On
By: Stephanie Snyder
October, 2025
The Bay View High School Library has kicked off the 2025–26 school year with energy, creativity, and collaboration. Between classroom visits, increased book circulation, Student Council meetings, and special projects, the library is once again proving to be a hub of student learning and engagement.
From September 2 to October 2, an impressive 674 books were checked out, and 29 classes visited the library for instruction, collaboration, or project work. In contrast, last year from September 2-October 2, 546 books were checked out. The library continues to be a central space where all students can find something to tickle their fancy. The Bay View library has an impressive, 111 Manga series titles! There are few libraries in the Milwaukee area with that many titles. Redcats have been voracious Manga readers and every year Ms. Snyder is tasked with finding more series to satisfy the appetites of Manga fans.
A highlight of this fall is the installation of Mrs. Werve’s “Humans of Bay View” banners, now in its fourth year. Inspired by the popular Facebook Page, Humans of New York, these posters pair photographs of Bay View students with their original poems. The collection captures the spirit, creativity, and individuality of our school community. The library walls are literally reflections of student voices.
The library also hosted a challenge launch with 3DE sophomores, whose latest case involves Mortenson Construction Company. As part of their research on drone technology, students visited the library to see the library drones in action, asking questions and analyzing how drone capabilities could enhance construction efficiency, cost and safety.
Meanwhile, the Student Council is off to a strong start with over 40 active members. Their goals this year include boosting school spirit, improving student morale, and enhancing campus amenities. Plans are already underway for a Candygram sale in late October to raise funds for a Winter Dance.
Student Council meets two to three times a month in-person and keeps communication flowing through Google Classroom, where they share updates, post meeting minutes, and collaborate on upcoming projects.
For Homecoming Week, the library has a display of past yearbooks, starting with the 1925 Oracle and hitting each decade on the 5s. We are missing 1985, but hopefully one edition is hiding up in the tower (which has lots of other treasures and Ms. Snyder went up there once, when Mr. Gaddis gave her a tour after she was hired).
The library has a back office which is going to be used as an Oracle satellite newsroom for Oracle journalists who need a place to work. Once Ms. Snyder straightens the space up, writers will be able to use library laptops for meeting their deadlines.
With so much happening already, it’s clear that the Bay View Library is not only the best place for books, it’s a place where students lead, learn, and build a community. So stop into the Bay View library and find out for yourself how the library can hook you.