Reading time: Less than 1 minute
This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about school librarians…
Schools are closed for the summer in most of the northern hemisphere now,so you wonder why I’m writing about school librarians.
Here’s the issue: what get cut first in schools? Music programs and librarians. Unfair, but true.
This reality is why I so appreciated a post by writer Ola Kowalczyk on the website Ebook Friendly about the value of school librarians. Under the headline, “100 things schoolchildren will miss without a librarian,” the post — and accompanying infographic — spell out the many ways in which school libraries, and librarians make a difference.
Here were my 10 favourites:
- A place to study without grades
- Adapting to new situations
- How to search efficiently and effectively
- Using information ethically
- Someone to talk to and someone who listens
- Learning the implications of a digital footprint
- Resources that will broaden their global perspectives
- The ability to experiment with and master new technology
- A place to “shop” for free
- Confidentiality
But there are many more reasons, all of them persuasive.
I was born loving to read, but many kids aren’t. A school librarian can open new worlds for them and better equip them for life in the 21st century, where reading is such a crucial skill.
When school returns, prepare to fight to protect the important work of librarians and school libraries. They need our support.
An earlier version of this post first appeared on my blog on April 13/20.
