By Jackie Bates
Staff writer

Students have recently been introduced to some new programs in the library. According to Diana Jacobson, library technician, the Reading Counts program, was used infrequently last year, but has been more popular this year. It is a computer system that provides freshmen and sophomore students with tests from a wide range of novels.

Lisa Valdes, an English teacher who has been using this program since the start of the semester, said that reading counts has a selection of books that caters to students of all reading levels and is very helpful to the structure of her classes.

News Bank” is another program which provides the students with a computerized version of the L.A. Times newspaper dating back to 1985.

Librarian Dolores Greenberg explained that the library is getting a free trial run of this program for one year and if students show enough interest, LHHS will purchase its own system for next year.

Another program called OPAC, which many students are familiar with, has changed from a DOS based program to Windows, a more point and click system that is easier to handle.

New computers are another hot item on the menu for an improved learning center. Four of them will be introduced to the network, making the total number of computers 28, the maximum for a school that has not yet turned digital. The old computers the library is now in the process of replacing will be used for word processing, making the library more useful to those typing papers.

Furthermore Diana Jacobson said that with the support of the student body, the library can be a better learning environment for the school. If students show enough interest in the new learning programs the school will continue to provide funds from as many sources as possible. She also said to show support for the new school programs available, students should stop complaining about the lack of materials available and take a stand. “See what you can do with the support of your peers. By doing this, it’s very possible you can improve the quality of your school.” She reminds students that this is a right they are entitled to.