Students used to be able to go to the library with ease, but since the use of laminated passes have been banned, teachers are not allowed to give passes unless homework is assigned.

Lorna Code, the KHS librarian, was in favor of the change in use of passes and explains why she got rid of the laminated ones.

“The laminated passes were originally meant to be given to students who hadn’t had a chance to get a pass from a teacher or realized at the last minute that they needed the library. Unfortunately, what it became was students who didn’t want to go through the trouble to get a pass from a teacher would get to study hall and sign out sometimes before the study hall teacher even got to the study hall room,” Code said.

When students checked out too early from study hall they were getting marked absent and since the teacher never saw them it was harder to get their absence fixed. Although students signing out too early was a problem, it wasn’t the only reason.

“Another issue with the laminated passes is that there is no name on them so sometimes I would end up with more students than passes. In that case, it was impossible to know who came in without a pass,” Code said.

Dean of Students Joshua West explains why library passes are so necessary.

“It helps monitor students and track their whereabouts,” West said.

Students have adjusted to the new pass rule, as West has observed.

“The students are responding wonderfully to this rule. It’s a change but a change they can make,” West said.

Students have started following the rules of the library by getting passes so it is up to teachers to be giving valid passes at this point.

“Now that we have required students to get a pass from a teacher, I hope it means that the teacher is verifying that the student has work to do for their class in the library,” Code said.

Since the change has been made no students have directly shared their input to Code.

“It is working pretty well but I would love to hear what the students think,” Code said.

West and Code both agree that this rule is working well.

“I foresee this rule remaining in place for the rest of the year,” West said.