I see every day how libraries enrich the lives of children and the people who serve them

Suzanne Jaynes
Portland Public School

Why are School Libraries Important?
I had the great opportunity to spend 30 years in the same elementary school library getting to shape it into a great place for students, parents and the neighborhood to having a great source of materials and goodwill.

How has a School Librarian or Library Impacted You?
I go back to my childhood. First my mom was the librarian of my high school. When I was a little girl, the elementary school librarian was my reading tutor and good friend. My 4th grade teacher went back to college and got a library degree and became the elementary school librarian, so for one year she was half time in the class room and half in the library.

How Does the Work of School Libraries Impact Your Work as a Library Professional or Person?
Since I retired and still substitute in the same district, I see every day how libraries enrich the lives of children and the teachers who serve them. When I substitute either in a classroom or the library, I see how children are impacted.

For the first time we are seeing strong language protecting School Libraries in national education policy. ESEA is up for a vote and this bill will be CRUCIAL to the future of school libraries, a section of the profession that has been under assault for decades. An Assault on One is an Assault on ALL. Stand up for School Libraries in America TODAY!

Find your Elected Official in the House

  1.       Contact your Representative to let them know how essential this bill is to our children’s education and futures.
  2.       Contact absolutely everyone you know and ask them to do the same thing.

Talking points

  •         Vote Yes on the Every Student Succeeds Act Conference Report.
  •         School libraries are critical to our children’s future and the Conference Report includes critical language to support effective school library programs.

 

This language is historic: For the first time in half a century Congress has underscored the importance of effective school library programs by expressly including them in multiple parts of this watershed reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Join the movement to protect school libraries and call Congress today.