Newton educator named NJ Library Assistant of the Year

NEWTON — Karen Noggle, a library assistant at Newton High School, was honored at the New Jersey Association of School Librarian’s annual conference as the NJ School Library Assistant of the Year. Nominated by Teacher Librarian Wendy Whipple, and Assistant Principal Kurt Walton, Noggle is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and an 11 year employee of the school district, the past three spent in the Library.

Whipple describes her as “a partner in a library where service to all is our hallmark.”

To that end, Noggle has helped students and staff with traditional library requests including picking up books requested from the local public library.

Whipple said that she also “endeavors tirelessly to provide guidance in many non-traditional areas such as assistance in job searching, letter writing, and has helped our students to gain college credit for what they already know allowing them to save thousands of dollars and critical college semester hours.”

Most recently, Noggle has been instrumental in the new digital e-books initiative providing downloadable books so that the members of the high school community can read books on their smartphones and computers.

Upon accepting the award Noggle said the Library is “the heart and soul of the school where each day is a new adventure assisting both staff and students with whatever is needed for them to succeed at Newton High School and beyond.”