Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

San Jose Campus, Swisher Library: Home & About the Library

The Bolles School San Jose Campus Swisher Library

 

Welcome to Swisher Library! We are located on the San Jose Campus near the Office of College Counseling.  Our library is an inviting work space where students meet study groups, complete course work, access research material, ask a Librarian, or simply relax and read.  

About Us

​The library opens at 8:00 am, M-F, and offers after school quiet study held from 3:15 pm-5:00 pm.  The testing classroom, located at the Ulmer Porch entrance, opens at 7:30 am, M-F including late start Wednesdays. On Fridays both the library and testing room close at 3:15 pm. 

  • Late night study and weekends supervised by resident life staff
  • Closed June & July

Makeup tests and quizzes are administered  Monday - Friday beginning at 7:30 am until 3:10 pm in the Swisher Library testing room.   After 3:10 p.m. the library assistant will facilitate makeup testing until 6:00 pm in the library.   On Fridays the library and testing room close at 3:15 pm. Please note tests will not be administered if there is un-sufficient time remaining.   Students will not be permitted to access any materials during testing unless previously indicated in writing by the subject teachers.   All students are held accountable to the Bolles Honor Code. 

Proctor Mrs. McIntyre-Nathari: 7:30 am - 1:00 pm M-F

Proctor Ms. Williams 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm M-F.  Please note tests will not be administered if there is un-sufficient time.

Students with approved accommodations should arrange directly with Learning Support.   

Testing Room Guidelines:

  1. Students may not bring back packs into the testing room; leave items outside the door on a hook.
  2. Cell phones are prohibited and may be stored in the Cell Spot on the back of the testing room door. 
  3. Students sign in at the test proctor’s desk. 
  4. If testing on a device, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure device is charged and, if necessary, provide their own head phones. 
  5. Students must turn in tests at or before the bell.  The library proctor's are unable to allow additional time. Students approved for accommodations should arrange make up tests directly with Learning Support.
  6. Students in grades 9, 10 and 11 finishing early MUST remain in the library until the bell.  Exceptions will be determined by the proctor and may include:
    1. Leaving the library early during lunch or activities
    2. Leaving the library early with a pass provided by a teacher
    3. 12th graders may leave the library after they have finished testing

IT Help Desk is available Monday - Friday:  

  • Zero Hour  M,T,TH,F:  8:00 - 8:30 am
  • Zero Hour Wednesday:  8:45 - 9:15 am
  • Activities M,T,TH,F: 10:30 - 11:15 am
  • Email anytime: 

Expectations for our shared library and work spaces (code of conduct):

​Our school's library is a shared workspace; it is open to the entire campus for completing coursework, meeting study groups and tutors, relaxing and reading.  We often welcome visiting and touring families, alumni and special guests.   The library also hosts a makeup testing room, classroom, IT office and advising office.   Everyone enjoying the library is expected to respect the shared work spaces, offices and the people around them.   Students wishing to enjoy a meal or socialize with friends should instead choose non-academic locations such as the Canteen, Cafeteria, Bent Center lounge, an outdoor patio, or the River Campus.   Students who are disruptive or refuse to cooperate with expectations and policies will be redirected outside or to the Dean's Office.

While in the library, students are expected to:  

  • Keep conversation private 
  • Be seated.  Students sitting on the floor will be asked to find a different location 
  • Eat before arrival; this includes candy and snacks 
  • Store water bottles inside backpacks

General Policies:

  • All students sign in upon arrival, including students with library passes, in study hall, or with free periods.  
  • Students visiting during their academic class time must obtain permission from their teacher as well as a signed purple pass. 
  • Students may check out as many print materials as they like for up to 2 weeks at a time.  Bring materials to the information desk along with your student ID for check out and a due date. eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines automatically return themselves after 2 weeks.   
  • Students may request renewals at the information desk, or self-renew eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines. 
  • Reminder notices will be sent to students that have not returned or renewed materials on time  
  • The library does not charge overdue fines, however, if a book is returned damaged (water damage, missing/torn pages or covers, highlight, underlining or notes) or not returned at all students may be charged for the replacement cost of the material.
  • Donations are happily accepted during the school year with the understanding that material not suitable for our collection will be donated to another library or literacy organization.  
  • Requests for collection enhancement may be submitted HERE

 

  • How do I print from my device / How do I mobile print?
    • Click HERE for step by steps directions to the SJ Mobile Print service.
    • The Swisher Library printer requires a student ID badge for access.    
  • I don't have my student ID badge.  Where on campus can I pick up my print job?
    • Learning Support services, located upstairs Bent Center over the Canteen, no student ID badge required
  • Where do I obtain a student ID or a replacement ID?
    • Campus Bookstore
  • What are the library etiquette rules?
    • Conversations are private
    • Food not permitted, including candy  
    • Students are seated
    • Water bottles stored inside backpacks 
    • Academic coursework is out on desk
  • How do I suggest a book for the library? Click HERE
  • How do I reserve a study room?
    • Study rooms are first come, first served.
  • Do you accept donations?
    • Donations are happily accepted during the school year with the understanding that material not suitable for our collection will be donated to another library or literacy organization  
  • Who was Carl S. Swisher / Why is the Bolles upper school library named after him / When was he alive ? 
    • ​Read about him HERE
  • How long can I check out a book for?
    • Print books, 2 weeks.  If you need material for an extended time, ask Mrs. Morgan or Mrs. Moody for a renewal  
    • eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines 2 weeks with automatic return and self-renewals   
  • Does the library charge late overdue fines?
    • We do not charge fines for overdue books.  We do charge full replacement fees for books that are not returned at all, or that are returned damaged by liquid or writing.  
  • How do I connect to the WiFi?
  • How do I reset my Bolles Schoology/365 password?
  • How do I reset My Backpack password?
  • How do I look up a book / find material in the library?
    • Access the library catalog called Destiny HERE
  • Can I borrow a device charger?
    • Surface chargers are available for purchase in the Campus Bookstore.  
  • Can I borrow a Surface?
    • The library does not lend Surfaces.  
  • Can I bring snacks into the library?
    • No
  • How do I 3D print?
    • Contact Mrs. Wood for information on the 3D printer
  • Where is the Lost and Found?
    • Dean's Office 

Study Room A:

  • Best for individual or silent work; this room shares a wall with the testing room and is best for students that will remain mostly silent
  • Seating for up to 2
  • Window to the courtyard, full natural light
  • Standard round table and chairs
  • White board
  • No eating, drinks kept inside backpacks
  • First come, first served

Study Room B:

  • Best for study groups or small meetings
  • Seating for up to 4
  • White board
  • Standard rectangle table and chairs
  • This room is best for collaborative group work or for meeting space
  • No eating, drinks kept inside backpacks
  • First come, first served

Study Room C: 

  • Best for tutoring sessions or small group meetings
  • Seating for up to 2
  • White board 
  • No eating, drinks kept inside backpacks
  • First come, first served

Carl Swisher 1891 - 1973

Who was our benefactor, Carl S. Swisher?

"Carl Swisher was born in Newark, Ohio on August 2, 1891 and lived there until he moved to Florida in 1924. After attending Doane Academy in Burlington, New Jersey, he matriculated at Denison University.  He served as Partner and General Manager of the family business, a cigar factory. Newark was the home of more than a dozen cigar factories but the Swisher firm was the most important. Carl’s paternal grandfather had received it as payment of a debt in 1861 and peddling cigars and other goods from wagons. Business was good and Carl’s father and uncle bought the business in 1881 and named it Swisher Brothers. By 1909, Swisher Brothers was selling 300,000 cigars a day. John Swisher bought out his brother Harry and brought his son Carl into the business, renaming it John Swisher & Son in 1913. Carl moved the headquarters of John Swisher & Son to Jacksonville and mechanized cigar production. The Jacksonville plant was so successful that he closed the Ohio plants (which relied on hand labor) and consolidated them into the Florida plant. The Jacksonville operation was extremely successful. Its King Edward cigar became the best seller in the world. Later, Swisher Sweets grabbed a large part of the international cigar market. Carl’s family lived in a $60,000 home in 1930 on Old Mitchell Place near San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin.  Five years later, the family was living at 933 River Road in San Marco.

Carl Swisher spent some of his money helping others. He joined the Jacksonville University (then Jacksonville Junior College) Board of Trustees in 1943 and served until 1962, being chair of the board from 1947-1961. Through his charitable foundation, he built a library, gymnasium, Swisher Auditorium, and two other buildings on the campus including the Leah G. Swisher Science Building in 1958. He also gave money for the Swisher Library at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He gave his support to the Bolles School San Jose campus, donating a generous seed pledge for their own Swisher Library.  He also donated to the academic programs at Stetson University in Deland and St. Barnard College in Cullman, Alabama."

Above excerpt may be read in its entirety at https://www.beachesmuseum.org/news/

 

More about Carl Swisher and his legacy in Florida: 

 

Request STUDENT ePASS