New Inquiry Collaborative Fosters Community and Curiosity

September 12, 2024

At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Cate opened the doors to its new hub for learning and inquiry, the Inquiry Collaborative (CoLab). Housed in the CoLab is the Wykoff Library run by Director of Libraries Carolyn LaMontagne and Librarian Alesia Aceves. Both new to the Cate community, they bring a fresh and revitalized perspective to the new building and are working with intentional effort to create space for robust and meaningful narratives to have a home to thrive at Cate.

“Awareness is a stepping stone toward justice, and a good story is often the best way to gain it,” explained LaMontagne, “We know ourselves and each other through our stories, and stories can be a safe way to dig into our own challenges and learn about the complexities of others’ experiences. Stories build our empathy muscles.”

LaMontagne, who joined the Cate community in July 2024, brings decades of experience in libraries and enthusiasm for culturally relevant literature. One resource that they are excited to bring with them to Cate is a group called Project LIT, a nation-wide community focused on increasing access to diverse, culturally representative books and promoting literacy.

“Being involved in this community, both as a reader and participant in building the annual list, has introduced me to many great titles and authors. I also read a lot of book reviews, focusing on bringing books into the collection that serve as windows and mirrors for our students,” said LaMontagne.

Aceves, a Santa Barbara native, is equally committed to shaping the CoLab into an inclusive, engaging space. With expertise in community engagement, she emphasized collaboration in building the library collection that reflects the community it serves.

“To make a space inclusive, we must actively communicate with the community it serves,” shared Aceves. “By engaging with the Cate community about the kinds of books they want to see, we can ensure the collection reflects diverse voices and experiences.”

At the start of the year, Aceves created a “bookstagram” display in the library, featuring recommendations of book titles from students and faculty. If a recommended book was not in the collection, she acquired it.

Together, the duo is already working tirelessly to create an open, inclusive, and welcoming space that encourages learning and reading for leisure in an energizing way.

“What drives my selection process is trying to add books that kids will enjoy reading. “I aim to have something for everyone—a collection where students can both find themselves and discover new perspectives. I also focus on including books that offer a fuller view of history and society than what I grew up learning. Social justice often begins with awareness, and books are powerful tools for that awakening.,” shared LaMontagne.

Adjacent to the library collection are a variety of study spaces for students, classrooms, and student resource offices that come together to facilitate a synchronous learning environment. With the help of Aceves and LaMontagne’s thoughtful leadership, the CoLab has quickly become a place where students are actively engaged in meaningful learning.

“As a first-generation individual, it is extremely important to provide a space in which everyone feels welcomed and seen in the collection the library houses. I see the CoLab as a space that sparks interest and curiosity for students which will hopefully lead to inclusive conversations of different cultures, experiences, and the sharing of stories,” shared Aceves.

Though their work here has only begun, Aceves and LaMontagne are already making an impact. “It’s early days in the CoLab, but my hope is that the environment will be warm and welcoming for all students,” shared LaMontagne, “Libraries are places of study, but they are also places of community and joy.”