Leitbild – Our Guiding Vision
The Lalor Library Media Broadcast Center sits at the heart of Tenafly High School and is continually evolving. Nearly all of its professional equipment has been generously donated by corporations or acquired through grants, and educators have worked closely with students to integrate it into the space. With its broadcast studios, softly lit bookshelves, high ceilings, aquarium, and grand piano, it is much more than a traditional library. It is a place where learning, creativity, and connection come alive. Each day, more than 1,000 students find a place to read, play giant chess, tackle The New York Times crossword, explore the world on large touchscreens with Google Earth, produce live broadcasts, or simply find a quiet corner for inspiration. From the Reading Rowboat designed for our youngest Tiger Tots to the professional studios where students conduct on-camera interviews and full productions, there is something here for everyone—an inviting space that encourages every student to learn, create, and imagine. We strive to be the sui generis of high school libraries!
Landmark Events and Activities
Ex Libris ad Mundum — From the Library to the World.
Off the main library floor, the Cyber Café offers a cozy spot for meetings, Zoom conferences, or relaxing by the aquarium. Recently, our engineering students gathered here for a Global Design Thinking Alliance Zoom event on AI.
The choir, led by Mr. Will Farnham, visits the Library Media Center and fills the space with song, uplifting students and staff. Here is a clip.
The Chamber Music Club performs in the Library’s TV Studio, transforming the space into a recital hall. Many thanks to Mr. Will Farnham, Orchestra Director, and his students! Watch here!
Tune in here for our daily live broadcast from the THS-TV Center Library Studio at 9:14 a.m. on weekdays. Watch our students learn through this carefully curated experience!
The Halloween spirit comes alive with our annual Senior Parade, marching through the Library’s TV Studio. The event is broadcast live to every classroom monitor, allowing the entire school to join in the fun and celebrate together! Experience it here.
Designed by William Francis Gibbs, the SS United States—still the fastest Atlantic-crossing liner—showcases American innovation and pioneering engineering. Our Library TV Studio hosted a special discussion on this iconic ship. Watch here.
Our library has long hosted a Lunar New Year celebration. The Chinese Cultural Club began this tradition and was later joined by the Korean Cultural Club and Indian Cultural Club. 恭喜發財!
Through a series of Zoom interviews coordinated by Dr. Joann Halpern, entrepreneurial alumni of the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam were interviewed by students from THS and the German International School of Silicon Valley—a Wunderbar Together project.
Steven Ujifusa, author of A Man and His Ship, gave a fascinating talk about William Francis Gibbs, designer of many of the ships that helped the United States during World War II. The culmination of his life’s work was the SS United States.
SS UNITED STATES William Francis Gibbs Interscholastic Engineering and Design Competition – The SS United States, an icon of American engineering, inspired Tenafly High School to host ten NJ STEM League teams in a “Made in the USA” boat-building competition in our outdoor classroom.
In 2005, Mr. Morrison’s history students videoconferenced with Henry T. King, at that time one of the last Nuremberg Trials prosecutors and author of The Two Worlds of Albert Speer. Watch the recording here.
An electronic signage generator helps students navigate the block schedule. D-major chords ascending the scale indicate a period change; descending chords signal the start of a period. Visuals are broadcast on classroom TVs over our latency-free cable system. The system was originally programmed by a student.
Captain Hugh Carola of the Hackensack Riverkeeper speaks to students about local environmental issues. Pictured here at the library’s studio desk with Dr. Robert Kennedy, environmental science instructor, and Cathy Paz, VP of Tenafly Middle School. Read more…
A former Tenafly High School student, and now a parent, teaches our students the art of knitting during lunch in the library. Such an activity provides an excellent opportunity for our students to see and feel the strict logic that makes for a soft blanket!
In 2020, the library’s open space and studio were set up for New Faculty Orientation. Our space is flexible and can accommodate various functions—from meetings to music performances.
Architect’s rendering of Tenafly High School’s library from its outdoor classroom. From its 1972 opening, the library was meant to be a special space. More than five decades later, we continue to honor the architect’s vision while allowing the space to evolve. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Leonard Nimoy’s advice to Tenafly students, recorded in 2010. Nimoy shared an encouraging message, showing how the arts and assigned readings can open doors to discovery and personal growth.
In 1937, Karl Ritter, Tenafly High School’s first principal, purchased our Lamb Studios stained-glass panels. Rescued from the original high school building and recently renovated, they are permanently on display and illuminated by natural light from our courtyard. They serve as a beautiful backdrop to our central library TV studio.
Seeing the Art in Science, on loan from the German Center of Research and Innovation, was installed in the Tenafly High School Library Media Center. Kathryn F. Coulter, Senior Multimedia Designer, artistically enhanced these images made with ZEISS imaging equipment. Read more…
We are honored to host Swiss technology students affiliated with TIE International. These students come from high-tech universities such as ETH and interact with our students during their visit. See more…
THS Athletics are well covered, with color commentary provided by students from our media production classes. Here they broadcast from Studio B using the desk once used by Phil Donahue during his time with MSNBC. See an additional photo of Studio B… and see the desk with Phil Donahue and Louis Farrakhan.
Astronaut Mike Massimino, author of Spaceman, answers students’ questions after an exciting talk about his unique experiences in space. See more…
Arte Journal Junior, a European news program for students, visited our school, where Ms. Williams’ class participated in a report, “School in the USA,” sharing U.S. culture with viewers through an engaging Q&A. Watch the video here.
In summer 2015, Tenafly High School students helped with lasting projects, including converting stationary shelving into mobile units with a wood base and wheels.
A former storage area became a vibrant TV control room, broadcasting and streaming performing arts, athletics, and library events to homes and classrooms.
Dr. Helen Coyle († 2023) and her AP Physics class explored the Foucault Pendulum, whose graceful swing revealed the force of gravity, Newton’s first law, and the Earth’s rotation. Read more and see additional photos…
Read Sony’s report on extending the life of its wonderful HDC-series professional cameras deployed in our TV studios. Article here…
In 2023, a $10,000 donation allowed Tenafly High School to trench a path from the TV control room to the studio, making cable runs for cameras and equipment cleaner and easier.
Our library, pictured here in 1972 at the heart of Tenafly High School, continues to evolve and change while maintaining a firm foundation in its original tradition and purpose.
Featured in the Education section of The Bergen Record in 2009. Click here to view the article.
John and Doris Naisbitt speak about their book China’s Megatrends: The 8 Pillars of a New Society. Also carried on C-SPAN, you may view the talk and the very interesting Q&A with our students that follows.
One of the greatest living examples I have seen of “expression” related to books and libraries is the Frankfurt Book Fair, taking place in Germany every October. Read more.
