WHS Library observing Amy’s Corner week

The Wilmington High School library is a cherished place among students, the vast amount of books, and the quiet relaxed environment. It makes for a good place to take a break from the commotion of a school day.

This was exactly the safe space Amy Salaba was looking for when she walked into the WHS library back in August of 1999.

The librarians remember her bright smile the instant she walked in, and the one she carried through up until her graduation. She was enthusiastic, motivated, ambitious, caring, thoughtful, and a truly outstanding person.

Throughout her four years, she spent a lot of her time in the library, as library-aide, or pursuing for herself. Amy loved to read both at school and at home, her love for books and her compassion really made her stand out.

Regrettably, Amy passed away on January 2, 2005, just two years after graduating from Wilmington.

Amy’s mother, Carol Sabala knew she wanted to due something to commemorate the memory of her daughter. She thought for a while before it came to her, how much the library, and reading meant to Amy.

Carol started making weekly donations to the WHS library and the library has majority benefited from it. This led to the formation of Amy’s Corner. It is a beautifully decorated shelf, with a large mural behind, and above it, with Amy’s favorite things.

A corner that began with just a shelf, has now grown into the entire library. Carol now makes dual-weekly donations, which has funded the purchases of over half the books in the library.

The books purchased by Carol’s donations are recommendations from the current students. There is a notebook in the library where students can write what books they would like to see. Books are also purchased if any popular young adult authors publish new books.

To celebrate Amy and her generous family the school has a week with dress-up days and games set up in the library. It is called Amy’s Corner Week, during the second week of February, which lines up with National Library Lover’s Month.

The donations Carol Salaba has made, truly make the WHS library a magical place for students with hundreds of brand new books. Not just Amy’s memory, but her giving nature lives on in the beautiful library, making so many students feel at home.