Lending Library continues to inspire curiosity and learning

photo by Summer Bolte Special Events and Projects Director, Mrs. Deborah Parker, enjoys utilizing the Lending Library. Although the library is not exclusive, you need to request access.

The Lending Library is an undiscovered treasure trove of books located at The King’s Academy. It was created when a parent presented the idea to Mrs. Deborah Parker, Special Events and Projects Director. The physical library is found in the lower school, and its purpose is to provide copies of the required reading books for kindergarteners all the way to seniors. The library has over 400 copies of books with more than 150 titles of required reading that students can access through the TKA app.

“Lending Library is completely free. You just have to return the books within two weeks to the front office of the main building,” freshman Matt Carlson said.

The busiest times for the Lending Library are during the summer months and just before winter break because students need to get their required reading books. If a student requests a book during the school year, it will be sent home with the student in their doc folder. During the summer, they can pick the book up at the front office of the lower school.

“You can see all those titles and how many we have available and if something's unavailable on that link in the TKA app, there's a link right there beside it that says request this title for a whole form you fill out,” Mrs. Parker said.

A mix of both students and parents request books from the Lending Library, with younger students usually having their parents request the books for them. 

“The books are all donated to the school. A lot of times it's family’s [books] that their kids have already read, now their youngest child has already read all these books for required reading,” Mrs. Parker said.

According to Mrs. Parker, some families find inexpensive novels on the required reading lists at used bookstores and purchase them to then donate to the school. All of the books in the library have been donated in the same way. Not everyone knows about the Lending Library, but many students use it on a yearly basis.

“I’ve gotten about six or seven books in the Lending Library,” Carlson said.

To access the Lending Library and borrow books, go to the TKA app and find the Lending Library icon, and fill out the form to check out a book. Utilizing the Lending Library is an easy and free way to get the books needed for required summer or winter reading.