MySSES

Library

The Allen and Elizabeth Becker Library is a vibrant center for research, study and collaboration at the heart of St. Stephen’s campus. Becker Library is a welcoming environment that provides a wealth of print and electronic learning resources to our whole community.

Becker Library provides computers for general use and wireless service throughout the building. Our onsite computer lab is a useful space for classes, meetings and conferences. We take great pride in our print collection and enjoy making reading recommendations to all.

Our librarians teach information literacy skills, collaborate with instructors, and assist classes and individuals with all aspects of research. Throughout the year, we plan special programming for the community. Library outreach includes orientation sessions, academic strategy sessions, author visits, student field trips, fun literary events and book discussion groups.

Friends Of Becker Library

The Friends of Becker Library Committee includes all parents who volunteer in various ways to support the library. The committee plans and supports two major school-wide events: the annual Holiday Book Fair and Haitian Marketplace and the biennial Literary Festival.

Parent and Alumni Book Group

The Parent and Alumni Book Group meets one Wednesday each month at 12:30 p.m. in Becker Library. All St. Stephen's parents and alumni are welcome to join us! The dates and books chosen for the 2017–18 academic year are:

September 13 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
October 11 - The Leavers by Lisa Ko
November 8 - The Son by Philipp Meyer
December 13 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty * special luncheon meeting
January 10 - A Classic of the reader's choice ("Classic" is loosely defined!)
February 14 - Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
March 21 - Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
April 11 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
May 9 - Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Summer Selections - God Save Texas: A Journey Into the Soul of the Lone Star State by Lawrence Wright AND Macbeth by Jo Nesbo

* Here is a list of our reading selections from past years.

Holiday Book Fair

Holiday Book Fair and Haitian Marketplace - Each year this school-wide event provides a festive and fun shopping opportunity for the whole St. Stephen's community, with tax-free shopping and complimentary gift wrapping provided. Proceeds benefit the library by providing funds for new books and other resources for our students. The Book Fair is made possible by the many talented volunteers of the Friends of Becker Library Committee. The Haitian Marketplace proceeds will benefit our sister school in Haiti, St. Etienne.

Literary Festival

Another exciting event sponsored by the Friends of Becker Library is the biennial Literary Festival. On that day, a wide variety of notable writers will visit St. Stephen's and give presentations about their writing to our students. Every student attends two presentations of his or her choice. Several authors will be on hand to share lunch with students, too. We are grateful to the many Friends of Becker Library volunteers who help engineer this enriching literary event for our community!