It’s no secret I’m a big fan of libraries. And school libraries have played a big role in my life. I spent a lot of time in school libraries while I was a student. My mother was a school library volunteer. Plus, back when I was an English teacher, school librarians often helped me teach research skills and guided my students toward books they loved. I know from experience that school libraries rock.
You’ve probably heard that many school librarians are being criticized and book challenges and bans are much more common nowadays. While I support parent involvement in their children’s education, that’s not the main concern here. Parents and community members are being encouraged to file these complaints through misinformation and untrue rumors. In short, they’re being manipulated into harassing school libraries.
How can you help? Here are a few ways:
1. Help friends and family members learn how to separate the truth from the lies. The News Literacy Project is a great place to start at https://newslit.org
2. Learn how book bans harm communities. Check out Unite Against Book Bans at https://uniteagainstbookbans.org
3. Share your support with your school district and community. Testify or write a letter to your school district board saying that you support your local school librarians. Or write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
If we all do at least one of these things, then people will understand that the vast majority cares about school libraries. That will be a gift to librarians everywhere.
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