About Us

Our Story

Friends of Waring was founded in 2017 by members of the Spring Garden community with a desire to support our neighborhood school.

In 2020, Friends of Waring prioritized the reopening of the school library. This work gained ground in 2021 and the library officially opened to all Waring students and staff in March 2022.

The reopening of the library has been an opportunity to engage and collaborate with the community and organizations interested in the success of Waring Elementary and its students.

Our Mission Statement

Friends of Waring’s mission is to promote student literacy, foster a love of books and encourage life-long learning through the operation of the Laura W. Waring Elementary School Library.

Our Vision

We would like the Friends of Waring library to be the welcoming heart of the Waring community where all members of the school community come to learn, discover, create, and connect.

Our Core Values

Access

• Provide a safe and inviting place where students can gather information and ideas, exchange experiences and learn.

• Develop and maintain a current and balanced collection of print materials that supports student learning, celebrates diversity and inclusion and reflects the life experiences of the student body.

Literacy and Lifelong Learning

• Empower students to become enthusiastic readers, critical thinkers and seekers of ideas and information.

• Model and encourage reading as a lifelong tool for learning and environment.

• Collaborate with the school community to choose materials that will amplifv the curriculum and support student achievement.

Service

• Serve students and staff in an environment that is inclusive. caring and collaborative while promoting positive relationships that support a healthy school climate.

• Partnerships and Sustainability

• Invest in sustained and intentional community partnerships.
  Sustain the library through fundraising efforts, community engagement, and following best practices in a manner that is financially responsible and appropriate.