Garrison Forest School has two on-campus libraries that serve the entire School community, from our youngest students to the faculty. With an array of traditional print materials and a cutting-edge media tools for research and learning, the GFS libraries are vibrant, active centers for learning, teaching, research, collaboration and a quiet spot to study or settle into a good book.

Both libraries are staffed with a full-time librarian and knowledgeable support staff. The librarians at Garrison Forest are all about reading and research, and they are excited to guide students through all the print and non-print resources the library offers. 

Using this web page, students can look at the catalogs from the libraries, turn to the “Online Databases” link for an encyclopedia or magazine article, or visit web sites specifically chosen to help with their assignments. Databases can be accessed on student tablets, on campus, and from home.   

The Elinor Purves McLennan '56 Library serves the Middle and Upper School students. It is open before and after school. Students visit the McLennan Library with classes to do research, for classes and book talks, and for study time or group work. The collection includes more than 13,000 items and 40 magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Both print and non-print materials that support the curriculum are constantly being added. Library databases offer online access to encyclopedias, full-text magazine and newspaper articles, poetry, and atlases. Lists of relevant research web sites are assembled, updated, and accessed from the library web page. Students receive instruction from the librarian on finding information within the GFS collections, as well as searching online and evaluating web search results.  

The Lower Division Library for the Preschool and Lower School has a collection of over 9,000 titles and 35 magazine subscriptions. Access to school-wide online databases is available from the library and from home. Weekly classes for the students from ages three through Grade Five feature reading, activities and instruction on using the library databases and finding online resources. The Black-Eyed Susan Book Club for Fifth Grade students meets once a month in the Library. The Lower Division library staff promotes a love of reading and literary enrichment and provides instruction in information research skills.

Siobhan O’Boyle started at Garrison Forest as the middle/upper school librarian in the fall of 2005. After 20 years as a school librarian, she still loves reading the latest young adult fiction and talking to students about it and helping students with research (as long as she does not have to write the papers.)

She holds an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary in English and a Masters in Library Science from University of Maryland. A lifelong Baltimore girl, she grew up in Catonsville and attended Notre Dame Prep.

When time allows, she can be found helping with her son’s cub scout den, experimenting in the kitchen or working on a new blog post.     

Faith Ward, Preschool and Lower School Librarian
faithward@gfs.org

Faith Ward joined the Garrison Forest community in 2006. She earned a BS in Art History at Boston College and a MLS in Library Science at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. After working as a professional Librarian for over 10 years in special and public libraries, she transitioned into the academic arena with a position in the Albert S. Cook Library at Towson University.

As Lower Division Librarian, Ms. Ward oversees the library program for Pre-K through 5th grade students. The Livingston library includes more than 7,000 items that circulate among students, faculty, and parents. The program focuses on early literacy and developing a true appreciation for literature. Ms. Ward also focuses on the integration of technology in the library setting. Technological excellence helps to foster informed, independent, and creative thinkers.

Ms. Ward has lived in Baltimore since 2003. In addition to her passion for reading, she enjoys swimming, walking, yoga, and cooking.