Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson is the go to person when it comes to all things in the Library. As the head Librarian at Olathe Northwest, Thompson has been checking books out to students since the opening of the school. Before becoming the librarian at ONW she was a librarian at Briar Wood Elementary School. But before getting her masters degree she taught speech and drama at Sante Fe Trail Middle School.

"When ONW first opened I wanted to take on the challenge of opening a brand new library. My Mother was also a school librarian and she loved it, so she was another reason for my choice to become a librarian," Thompson said.

Thompsons favorite part of working at ONW isn't different than most of the staff, getting to know the student body and building relationships with the staff.

"Its the people at Olathe Northwest that make it great and getting to work with them is my favorite part of being a librarian," Thompson said.

The most challenging part of the job for Thompson is puting all of the books back at the end of the year when students start to return them. But the worst part of the job this year for Thompson is the new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) system that allows students to bring their own devices to school and connect to the internet.

"Besides having to put a load of books back on the shelves towards this time of the year, BYOD is the worst thing ever! It was bad this year but there is hope for next year, at least thats what they tell me," Thompson said.

Thompson has spent over 10 years at Olathe Northwest and she says that the end is in sight.

"I have made some wonderful relationships with people at ONW. I plan on being here for at least 3 more years," Thompson said.