A Love Letter to School Librarians and Libraries
Take time to celebrate school librarians and their programs. Visit your library and be transformed!
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]S[/dropcap]pring is a busy time for Texas students and educators. As busy as its is, I hope you take a moment to thank your school librarian.
April is [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]School Librarians Month. The 2016 theme is School Libraries Transform Learning. I would take that further and state they have an ability to transform lives.
When I was little, my favorite place was the library. You had to be quiet or use your “soft” voice to speak. This was perfect for a shy girl. I was six or seven when I first discovered the library. From the first time I entered a library, I felt like I was in heaven. There were so many amazing stories, people and places in books. Growing up, my family was poor. But I didn’t feel poor. I could get lost in books. I could be anyone of the many characters or see places far away. I discovered many favorite authors and favorite books in the library. And along the way, I discovered myself.
Guiding me in my love affair with literature were librarians. They always seemed to have this magical power of knowing exactly the right book or author I needed. During my love of monsters and ghosts, the librarian introduced me to Dracula by Bram Stoker. That led to reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Other favorites included H.G. Wells, Jules Vernes and Edgar Allan Poe. One summer I got it into Greek gods and goddesses. The librarian suggested I read Mythology by Edith Hamilton. Around that time, I developed an interest in to read about strong women in history. The librarian shared historical “teasers” about Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. Upon hearing a small fraction of what these ladies did, I checked the books out. Their stories inspired me. My interest in strong, independent women led to an interest in female writers. Librarians helped me discover Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Katherine Anne Porter and the list goes on.
School librarians not only foster a lifelong love of reading they also encourage thinking and creativity. They support curious minds and inspire young imaginations. School librarians shape lives.
Often, I would fall asleep with a book on my chest or face much to my mother’s chagrin. She wasn’t upset that I had stayed up reading. She would be upset that I fell asleep with the light on.
I was not the only one in my family addicted to books and reading. My father shared my interest. Every two weeks we headed to the library to check new books out or recheck the ones we brought back to finish them. Reading was a family affair. My parents were immigrants. As I learned to read in school, my dad had me sit next to him and read aloud my home reading assignments. It took me years to realize that I had been teaching my father to read in English. He read every spare moment he had. It was not unusual for him to check out as many as 10 or more books at one time. He was an avid reader. Dad devoured books. Nearly 30 years have passed since he died. My fondest memories of him are going to the library and discussing the books we had read or sharing what we had learned. 
This sometimes led to some lively discussions into the early hours of the morning.
Librarians helped create those memories. They shared their knowledge of books and authors. I suspect they applied a little psychology to pick the “right” book. Because of them, I have traveled to ancient Egypt. I watched Alexander the Great conquer the ancient world. And I sleuthed along with Agatha Christie.
Librarians introduce you to the people who will shape you. Some literature will haunt you. A few ideas will drive you to find your passion or future. And librarians will help you find friends that will never leave you. Thank you Maurice Sendak, Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl!
Librarians are magic. They like teachers guided me. Librarians transformed me. 
That love of reading they ignited helped me in other ways. It developed my writing skills. Without knowing it, reading had increased my vocabulary skills. So much so that testing in eighth grade showed I had college-level vocabulary. To be specific, tests showed I was testing on a second-year college level. I have no doubt that reading also helped my writing skills in college where I did well. Reading and writing are skills I use today in my daily profession.
Oh, and those far away lands are no longer places I read about. The books and stories inspired me to travel.
School Libraries Transform Lives
Libraries transform communities. Libraries today are less about what they have for people and more about what they do for and with people. Cindy Buchanan lauds the work done by school libraries and librarians. She stated that they do more than just provide access to books. They are a vital part of collaborative educational teams found in today’s successful schools. Buchanan is program director of library media services.
“A library transforms lives every day,” said Buchanan. “Children, students and adults turn to libraries to learn, grow and achieve their dreams.”
School librarians teach students information and literacy skills needed to navigate the Internet responsibly. They teach students to conduct research, cite sources and to think critically. Librarians also help students learn in any content area.
Certified school librarians foster a love for reading. They provide classroom teachers and students with the latest digital and print resources. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recognize their efforts to educate children. Educators look at librarians as teachers. Their instruction plays a key role in student learning and growth.
More than 60 national studies show that school library programs are vital. 
Certified school librarians have a positive impact on students’ college and career readiness.
“In Aldine ISD, district leaders support school libraries,” said Buchanan. “Librarians appreciate the value placed on information literacy and reading by our district leaders.“
Libraries Transform Communities
“Libraries are community hubs. As the population increases, the needs of communities also change. There are many educational and economic ways in which libraries help transform communities.”
Libraries Help Transform Communities
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Assistance in Economic Recovery — People visit libraries to get help with resumes and job searching. Libraries assist in economic development. They give people access to prospective employers through job fairs. Small business owners visit libraries to conduct research and even to learn how to use social media for marketing. Many libraries provide basic computer literacy programs and workplace literacy training. Libraries work in partnership with local agencies to provide these services and programs.[/li][li]Literacy, Language & GED Programs — Many libraries provide support to members of the community who are seeking to better their lives.[/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Computers & Wi-Fi Access — Community members can use the access to find employment. They can also conduct research for career and academic endeavors.[/li] [li]Employment & Entrepreneurship — Some folks use the library to conduct work. Entrepreneurs and small business owners use libraries’ computer resources for writing business plans, finding investors, marketing, and business administration.[/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”]
[li]Youth Programming — Many libraries across the state provide unique and exciting experiences for children and teens.[/li] 
[li]Information Literacy Instruction Prepares Students for the 21st Century Workforce — The skills taught in libraries help students identify and find the information needed to solve a problem. They learn to use critical thinking and problem solving skills. They also improve their technology and media literacy. These skills will prepare them for a competitive workplace. [/li][/ul]
“Libraries encourage continuous learning,” said Buchanan. “Libraries help adults improve beyond whatever formal schooling they may have had. Libraries identify and respond to the needs of the community. They enlist community representatives to help teach, mentor or exchange skills. They develop collaborative partnerships on behalf of the community’s needs. And libraries provide programs that teach students skills needed for college and career.
Victory Early College HS — Ruben Oblitas is a 2016 National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
“Libraries and librarians fulfill an important need in the communities they serve.
“Libraries and librarians are doing their part to enhance learning and improve the economy. They are helping put people back to work and they are preparing our youth for the 21st century workforce. Communities need libraries and certified librarians now more than ever.”
As for this writer, the library remains one of my favorite places. Librarians still help me find that book I won’t be able to put down. And it is still a magical place of wonder and inspiration.
Thank You School Librarians for Transforming Lives!
The Importance of Reading
Reading is essential to literacy development. It is the most powerful tool available for building vocabulary. Reading also improves the ability to read, write, spell and comprehend. The more students read, the better readers and writers they become.
The district encourages students to read books that interest them. Students should also give the classics a chance. The complex writing and topics of the classics prepare students for college-level work.
Did You Know …
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Reading habits are critical in developing the foundation for later success.
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Students who read more, read better. They also write better, spell better, and have larger vocabularies. They also have better control of complex grammatical constructions.
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Children who enjoy reading will read more and become proficient at the same time.
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The amount of reading done out of school is consistently related to gains in reading achievement.
How are reading skills used in the workplace?
Employees must read and understand written information. Different types of workplace documents include work instructions, emails, memos, policies and reports. Professionals must scan for information and derive meaning. Employees must determine if the information is relevant or how they will use it. They must also be able to integrate information from many sources.
How important are writing skills in the workforce?
The National Commission on Writing conducted a comprehensive study of 120 major American corporations. It concluded that writing is a “threshold skill” for hiring among professional employees. Writing skills also give individuals a leg up on a new job or promotion. Two-thirds of salaried employees in large American companies have some writing responsibility. One HR manager stated that written material must be “crystal clear.”
Employers emphasize the significance of good writing skills for career preparedness. A recent Wall Street Journal article focused on “Must-Have Job Skills.” It identified clear communication, which includes writing, as the #1 skill necessary for success in the job market.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
