Celebrating School Librarians

Like many school-aged children, my daughter (whom I’ll call by her middle name, Jing) found solace in the school library. Before her ADHD diagnosis, and before she had the efficacy to explain to others what she needed, Jing would often put her head on her desk and press her hands over her ears whenever the chaos of the classroom got to be too much. She would try to block out the overwhelm of excess sensory input, which included frequent disruptions from classmates in an overcrowded classroom. She became dysregulated almost daily. Yet she found peace and connection in the comfort of the library.

Eventually, we worked out a system that allowed her to venture across the hall to the library once or twice each day, taking five to ten minutes as needed to regulate and reset. The atmosphere calmed her nervous system and helped her regain control over her tears and agitation. She gradually formed a trusted friendship with the school librarian, Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li was from China, like Jing. That meant she knew how it felt to be one of the only people with Chinese ancestry, and a Chinese appearance, at our Wisconsin public school. This was an important and shared experience that I lacked. Mrs. Li talked to my daughter about books, as all good school librarians do, but she also talked about growing up Chinese, about what got Jing agitated in the classroom, and about ways she could navigate her emotions. Mrs. Li’s expertise in youth development extended well beyond books.

A few months into the school year, Mrs. Li started a Chinese Club, open to any student wanting to learn more about Chinese culture. She shared recipes, food, crafts, and music with students in the third through fifth grades. My daughter was the first to sign up and loved every second of it.

Mrs. Li’s impact on my daughter’s elementary school years was deeply meaningful. Of course, not every young person will be lucky enough to see their own heritage mirrored back to them through the face of the school librarian. That is where books come into play. When it comes to supporting young people, books are both windows and mirrors, showing us new ideas and worlds, while reflecting our own selves back to us.

Every good librarian knows the names of books that can drive new discoveries, and the books that affirm and uplift.  Are you looking for a graphic novel about how it feels to grow up half-Jewish and half-Native-American with parents who live in two different states? The school librarian knows just where to find it.

Connections

At Camp Fire—the national youth development organization—our mission is to connect young people to the outdoors, others, and themselves. We work with affiliates across the country to hold up windows and mirrors, making sure youth feel seen and heard in our programs. Like school librarians, we strive to provide the kinds of experiences in which young people can take the lead, where there are opportunities to challenge themselves, grow their confidence, and contribute to the good of the group. We strive to create experiences that widen the circles of empathy and deepen our knowledge of nature. Our programs include community service, outdoor skills, STEM, art, and academics. We offer after-school programs, clubs, day camps, teen leadership programs, and overnight summer camps, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds have a safe place to land.

Reflecting on last month’s celebration of School Library Month, , we wanted to make a point to shout-out our fellow ducators by celebrating just how essential they are when it comes to uplifting and supporting young people. We see what they do because it’s the same work we do, only using different tools.

School Librarians are among the few people at school who know every student across all grades. We shouldn’t underestimate how important it is for a young person to feel seen at school, and to be seen for all the right reasons. A trusted adult, from the student’s perspective, is an adult who will listen to them, and engage. When youth are asked which adults at school they trust most, school librarians are at the top of the list.

In addition to their work bolstering reading and technology skills, providing resources for special projects, and supporting lesson plans, school librarians help young people develop a stronger sense of self. How do they do this? They model kindness and consideration. They listen. They make suggestions about books (and websites) based on individual needs. They help young people explore and discover their individual interests. They help young people fall in love with reading, with imaginary worlds, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Just as summer camps, outdoor schools, and after-school programs can provide a haven for young people, the library has always been a place of gentle comfort. That is not by accident. Librarians ensure that the library is free from hate, threats, or judgment from others. Under their stewardship, it has become a place where young people are able to be themselves, a place where they can exhale.

Last month we celebrated the 40th anniversary of School Library Month, however, anytime during the year is a wonderful time to thank the librarians you know and help keep the magic alive!