A Library That Leads the Way

At the heart of our school sits a space that is more than just a collection of books—it is a hub of curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. The SAA-SDS library has always been a cornerstone of learning on our campus, but in today’s fast-moving world it has become something even greater: a launchpad for discovery. Our librarians have created a culture where students don’t just check out books—they check in with their own imaginations.

A Place Students Want to Be 

From the earliest learners in our ECC who are choosing their very first books to Upper-School students diving into databases for research, the library welcomes everyone! Recent updates—like forward-facing shelving and subject-grouped categories—make it easy for even our youngest readers to find books of interest.

The library hums with activity every single day. On any given day you might find:

• Early Childhood students gathering for a joyful story time
• Elementary students learning essential library lessons that build research and literacy skills
• Middle schoolers working together in the study room on group projects
• Upper School girls sharing lunch and preparing for their next class in a welcoming, collaborative space

A rotating menu of self-directed activities such as LEGO building, coloring, giant Tetris, puzzles, interactive Sudoku, search-and-find games, and more, ensures there’s always something engaging for our students to participate in between classes.

A Space That Blends Technology + Tradition

Our library blends the gift of literacy with the current need for digital fluency. Alongside our shelves of carefully curated fiction and non-fiction, students can access eBooks, digital research platforms, and tools that prepare them for a tech-driven future. This balance also ensures that our SAA and SDS students learn how to navigate both a well-loved novel and a peer-reviewed journal article with equal confidence.

A Hub of Resources 

The strength of the library lies in the resources it places at the fingertips of students and teachers. Our print collection holds 12,971 volumes, carefully chosen to serve students from PK2 through 12th grade. The collection was developed to support our curriculum while reflecting our Catholic moral teaching and values, ensuring that every age and stage finds books that both inspire and uphold our mission. In addition, students enjoy access to:

SORA eBooks & Audiobooks

All students can check out digital books anytime, anywhere through the SORA platform(soraapp.com/home). Access is simple! Students log in with their Google credentials and instantly open the door to thousands of titles.

Research Databases 

Our library subscribes to leading academic databases such as JSTOR, Gale Virtual Reference Library, and CultureGrams, giving students access to reliable, high-quality resources for research and classroom projects. Explore the full list of available resources on our Library Databases page.

The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) 

TEL is a statewide virtual library that provides free access to over 400,000 electronic resources, including magazines, scholarly journals, podcasts, videos, e-books, test preparation materials, Tennessee primary sources, and more. TEL is accessible anywhere with an internet connection. Learn more and explore TEL here: tntel.info.

Maker and Technology Tools

Our library includes access to onsite creative technologies such as a 3D printer, which allows students to design, prototype, and bring their ideas to life. Along with other hands-on tools, the maker resources encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.

Faith-based and Values-Centered Collections 

Materials and resources that reflect and reinforce our school’s mission are given priority in the SAA-SDS library.

These resources ensure that the library is a safe place where students can find exactly what they need—reliably, accessibly, and faithfully.

A Center for Building Community

The library is a place for connection, celebration, and fun, with events that make reading and learning a shared experience. These are just a few examples of annual events:

• Breakfast and a Book Club – Held each semester, this popular club brings students together early in the morning to listen to an audiobook while following along with their own copy. Donuts and juice make the mornings sweeter, and on the final club day, parent volunteers join in to host a celebratory pancake breakfast.
• Used Book Sale – Through generous donations from families, this event (held during the Family Night Spaghetti Dinner) recycles well-loved books into new homes while raising funds for library improvements. Recent projects made possible include the installation of our forward-facing shelving.
• Talk Like a Pirate Week – After a few years’ hiatus, this fan-favorite tradition is back! Pirate Week transforms the library into a high-seas adventure with scavenger hunts, pirate-themed read-alouds, and even a Reader’s Theater where students act out swashbuckling tales.
• Pumpkin Book Character Contest – Each October, creativity takes center stage as students decorate pumpkins to look like their favorite book characters.
• Upper School Game Day – This is a chance for students to unwind and build friendships through board games and activities hosted right in the library.
• Book Fair – Each year, parent volunteers transform the library into a fully themed wonderland, making it a highlight of the year.
• Read Across America Week – Students enjoy a bookmark contest featuring Bible verses, story time visits from the Cat in the Hat, and schoolwide Drop Everything and Read moments.

A Team That Supports: Meet Our Librarians

SAA-SDS is blessed to have a dynamic library staff whose mission is to provide a setting in which students feel free to explore. Together, Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Young, and Mrs. Brooks bring a wealth of experience, creativity, and heart to the SAA-SDS library program.

• Sara Casey, Director of Library Services – Now in her 20th year at SAA-SDS, Mrs. Casey leads the library program with vision and dedication. She holds both her undergraduate degree in legal studies and her master’s degree in information science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She and her husband, John, have two daughters at SAA, Emma (Grade 11) and Ava (Grade 9).
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• Rachel Young – In her 5th year at SAA-SDS, Mrs. Young works primarily with our youngest learners in PK2 through Kindergarten. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education with a library endorsement. Rachel’s warmth and creativity make the library a welcoming, magical place for young children to begin their reading journeys. She and her husband, Matt, are raising two children, Jack and Evie.
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• Melissa Brooks (former SDS Lower School Teacher) – Returning this year, Mrs. Brooks works with students in grades 1–4. She holds an undergraduate degree in elementary education from UT Martin and a master’s degree in educational leadership from CBU. Known for her passion for student learning and engagement, she and her husband, Chris, are excited to be back in the SAA-SDS community.

A Path Forward 

Projects like redesigned shelving, updated resources, and special programming are made possible thanks to strong community support through book fairs, used book sales, and generous donations. Every contribution directly translates into stronger resources and richer opportunities for our students.

As we prepare students for a future where information is everywhere, our library equips them not just to consume knowledge, but to question it, evaluate it, and create their own. In doing so, the library isn’t just keeping up with change—it’s leading it.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our library. New book clubs, a new reading incentive program, and more are planned for later this year!

📌 Quick Links

• Browse all library databases & resources
• SORA eBooks & Audiobooks
• Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL)