If you give a kid a library….

by Suzanne Lyons
In HISD, the variety of experiences students have on their campuses and in their school library makes it a challenge to say exactly what happens… when you give a kid a library. In its simplest form the library is a room full of books. But what if the bar is raised? What if they DO have access to a fully staffed and fully resourced school library on their campus?
IMAGE SOURCE: Why is Houston shutting down libraries at some of its poorest public schools? by Francine Prose (Guardian, 15 Aug 2023)

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Some campuses (NES or not) may have a room… with books.. .and maybe someone available to check books out, check books in, and shelve books.  So, there!  Those schools have libraries, right? That’s what  the HISD Superintendent insists.  Hmmm… maybe not.

Access to literature and books is very important, make no mistake.  Librarians are experts in finding the “just right book” for their students.  But it is only one thread in the tapestry of a library program.  Certified librarians are also certified classroom teachers who have continued their education to get a masters degree in library science and complete the requirements to become certified as a school librarian in addition to their classroom teaching credentials.  They are generalists, with expertise across curricular areas.  They collaborate with classroom teachers to add to or reinforce the instruction taking place in the classroom.  When the classroom teacher delivers a lesson on the life cycle of the butterfly, the librarian can follow up with a read aloud about the butterfly, or gather a cart of materials that students can browse on that topic, or guide students in using digital resources to research more about butterflies. Most critically, a librarian guides students to materials and books that are appropriate for the reading level and that spark their interest in reading and research.  Students may access the library multiple times throughout the week and even before and after school.  That seems amazing!  Whew. That’s it. That’s all the certified librarian does. Right?  Nope. There’s more! There are many administrative and other responsibilities the librarian is responsible for, including managing the largest capital fiscal investment in every school  - the library book collection. Inventory, tracking, selecting and ordering materials and removing outdated or irrelevant materials are all part of the gig.  
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So if there isn’t a librarian on a campus, all is lost.  Right?  No, not necessarily.  Some schools employ a certified educator (a classroom teacher) to staff the library who can take on some of these duties.  Teachers know curriculum.  They can match what students are working on in the classroom with resources found in the library.  Are they completely familiar with the library collection?  Maybe.  Can they direct and instruct students in the use of digital resources and support research assignments in a variety of areas (librarians have professional development activities that support this task)? Not really likely, but possibly.

So what if there isn’t either a librarian or a teacher in the library… zip…nada…nothing.  The library door is closed.  The lights are off.  The books may or may not be there.  If they are on the shelves but unattended, things can (and do) disappear. With no one there to be accountable for materials, the materials and the funds spent to purchase them are gone. And there is no one to support students or teachers who need those books that were on the shelf in previous years.   IMAGE SOURCE: Opening School Libraries Slows the Summer Slide by Valentina Gonzalez (Middle Wed, 27 May 2018)

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​Just as libraries are not created equal… the “backpack of experience” each child carries is weighted in varying degrees.  Book deserts are real.  Children with no access to their school library may not have access to a public library, or a bookstore within a reasonable distance from their home.  Many parents have full schedules (long hours, multiple jobs, special family situations) and may not have the time, energy or transportation to bring their child to experience literature elsewhere.  Parents may not have the funds to purchase books for their child’s home library, so children don’t have access to books at home either.  Parents may not be aware of free and/or low-cost resources to access books for their child; or have the skills to help their child select a “just right” book; or even be able to read as adults. If a parent doesn’t model or value reading at home, and a child has no access to reading materials elsewhere they are not likely to develop a love or even a tolerance for reading.

So there’s the question.   If you give a kid a library…. What happens?   Everything.  If the library is valued and staffed with a high quality certified professional librarian whose life’s work is to bring joy and love of reading to children, they demonstrate a commitment to giving students all of the opportunities for resources and learning they deserve.  If you don’t give a kid a library, you guarantee they do not have access to that wealth of information. Information privilege in the form of access to campus libraries is alive and well in Houston ISD: only students in non-NES schools have any hope of such under current leadership. Those non-NES schools do not even reliably support their libraries. 
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.honestlymodern.com/how-libraries-are-saving-lives-and-supporting-our-health/

Please remember these thoughts as you evaluate HISD in 2025. Students thrive with access to school libraries. They can get excited about reading when they choose their own next literary adventure. Literacy for ALL is the goal.

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