The Lalor Library Media Broadcast Center is in a constant state of renewal in the heart of Tenafly High School. With broadcast studios, illuminated bookshelves, soaring spaces, and even a grand piano, it’s more than a library, it’s where learning, creativity, and connection take root. Over 1,000 students visit daily to read, play chess, solve NYT crossword puzzles on touch screens, produce live broadcasts, and discover new inspiration. From the Reading Rowboat for our Tiger Tots, to professional on-camera interviews, every student finds an engaging experience to learn, create, and imagine.
Landmark Events and Activities
Ex Libris ad Mundum — From the Library to the World.
Tune in here for our daily live broadcast from the THS-TV Center Library Studio at 9:14 a.m. weekdays. Watch are students learn through this carefully curated experience!
The Halloween spirit is alive with our annual Senior Parade, marching through the Library’s TV Studio. The event goes live to every classroom monitor. The entire school gets to join in the fun and celebrate together! Experience 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 been host to the Lunar New Year Celebration. The Chinese Cultural Club started this tradition, later to be joined by the Korean Cultural Club and the 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 the majority of ships that helped the United States win World War II. The culmination of his life’s 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 Nürnberg 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 chord indicates period change. Visuals broadcast on in house TVs over latency free coaxial cable, audio over PA. 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 Tenafly Middle School. Read more…
A former Tenafly High School student and now parent teaches our students the art of knitting during lunch in the library. Such 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 the New Faculty Orientation days. 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. Over 53 years and 62,275 students and staff later, we continue to honor the architect’s vision. Click on 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 out center library TV studio.
An exhibit, 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 of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, 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 are from high tech universities such as ETH and during their visit interact with our students. See more…
THS Athletics are well covered with color commentary by students from our media production classes. Here they broadcast from our Studio B using the one time desk used by Phil Donahue when he was with MSNBC. See 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 about Sony’s report on extending the life of their 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 and at the same time keeps a firm foundation tradition.
Featured in the Education Section of the Bergen Record, a piece from 2009. Click here for link.
John and Doris Naisbitt speak about their book China’s Megatrends, The 8 Pillars of a New Society. Carried also on C-Span, you may view the talk and the very interesting Q and A with our students that follows.