Using vast research experience, librarian aids students and teachers alike

As a group of English 10 students from Amy Keys’ class walk into the research center, each one grabs a seat next to his friends and absentmindedly begins dragging the computer mouse on the desk. Today, these students will be  introduced to their English 10 research project. While it may not be obvious, each student’s stomach is filled with butterflies as the students remain unsure of the task ahead.

Enter Kevin Heyman, the school librarian. Heyman teaches students how to research with databases and anthologies. Heyman ensures that students do not wrongly Google every piece of evidence in their papers.

“I have been inspired by the ways in which information has become available,” Heyman said. “[I enjoy] showing teachers and students how to wade through the morass of information to find high quality, scholarly information.”

The journey to becoming a librarian

Before going into education, Heyman was a history major at Humboldt State University, where he spent  innumerable hours in the library researching and writing papers. During those long hours of work, Heyman realized he had a passion for accumulating and synthesizing information.

After graduating from college in 1990, he spent the next decade teaching history and special education and working as the social science department chair at Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose.

As a history teacher, Heyman sought new ways to integrating technology in the course material, which helped to engage his students in lessons. In fact, in 1992, Heyman was a part of Mt. Pleasant’s Digital High School Committee, which was funded to “install the infrastructure that would allow the school to connect to the Internet.”

Heyman began to incorporate the Internet into his lesson plans — after getting the necessary technology— something he felt allowed him to reconcile his passion for education and interest in technology.

Later, in 1998, Heyman enrolled at San Jose State University (SJSU) to obtain his master’s degree in library science. This gave him the opportunity to gain more knowledge on how to better combine his passion for technology with education. Heyman also obtained his special education and library media credentials at SJSU. After completing his degree in 2000, Heyman began working at Independence High School as the librarian.

Experience at SHS

Eight years later, Heyman applied for and became the Saratoga High librarian. Here, he finds that teachers’ desire to help students and students’ desire to learn make working with them an enjoyable process.

For instance, when Heyman first came to the school, it did not have the digital resources that students use today. Heyman, with the help of previous principal Jeff Anderson and the PTSO, obtained a database and subscription to NoodleTools, a website that helps students organize and cite their research.

After learning of the school’s new resources, AP Literature teacher Cathy Head asked Heyman to teach her students how to use NoodleTools for their research projects. After he did so, a former student visiting campus told Head that such resources were extremely useful to him in college.

Heyman also works with many of the history and English teachers to create lesson plans that make use of the library’s digital resources. He has also collaborated with science teachers on smaller projects.

But Heyman does not work only with teachers; he helps students with projects such as those completed for the annual History Day competition.  

“I always enjoy working with students [who put in so much] time and effort to not only create a great project, but [also] to learn something in the process,” Heyman said.

Other aspects of the job

Additionally, Heyman is an information specialist, which means that he manages the school’s online and digital resources as well as a collection of 30,000 print books in the library.

He must keep up to date with all the types of technology students can use in research.

“I have to walk the fine line between deciding what is a passing fad and what is meaningful change,” Heyman said. “The speed with which technology moves often makes this difficult.”

Heyman said that although tasks such as collecting the library’s eBooks may seem easy, they involve sifting through a massive amount of information. Additionally he must verify that the library is not infringing on any copyright laws.

For example, many authors and publishers place restrictions on their work and the extent to which it can be used. It is up to Heyman to ensure that the library does not accidentally violate an  author’s restrictions or use pirated information.

“Many people don’t fully understand the way that copyright law works, and as a result are illegally using information without realizing it,” Heyman said.

Despite the numerous hours Heyman’s job requires, Heyman finds that working as a librarian is both fulfilling and exciting. He said his favorite aspect of his job is working with the SHS community.

“Overall, Saratoga has a great school climate, which makes it a great place to be,” Heyman said.