The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
NASD school librarian honored
Whitehall Elementary’s Tami Peterson named Librarian of the Year by American Reading Company
Back when she was teaching elementary school kids, Tami Peterson made a promise to herself that she would do her best to instill in her students the same love of reading that sparked her own imagination as a young girl.
“When our school librarian retired, I saw an opportunity to uphold my promise,” said Peterson, who recently received the 2018 School Librarian of the Year Award from State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware).
At a small ceremony held
at Bonefish Grill in King of Prussia and sponsored by the American Reading Company and UGI Utilities, the Whitehall Elementary School librarian was recognized by Leach for her “outstanding work with students and for creating an immersive and exciting atmosphere, where students were challenged to dream big.”
Leach applauded Peterson for overseeing the “Healthy Reporter,” a student-led newspaper about healthy eating, and for coordinating the school’s science fair.
The 2018 Public Librarian of the Year Award went to Jennifer Phillips of the Haverford Public Library, noting Phillips’s work in creating “Out at the Library,” an inclusive LGBTQ club focused on empowerment through art, writing and discussion. Phillips also helped create “Stay Woke,” which is a space for teenagers to discuss current events.
Each winner received a special plaque and a $90 gift card to Bonefish Grill.
Peterson started her teaching career in North Philadelphia and has been at Whitehall for 13 years.
In 2014 she decided to pursue her longtime dream of becoming a librarian by taking the essential classes.
“I have always loved books and the places they can take you,” Peterson said. “I remember being a little girl and visiting my grandparents. They did not have a lot of money, but they had books ... even a set of encyclopedias. Every time I went for a visit, I would take an encyclopedia and page through it, amazed that everything I wanted to know could exist in a set of books. I was only around 6 or 7 years old. This is where I became determined to read as much as possible.”
When she became Whitehall’s librarian Peterson was determined to hook even the most reluctant students on reading.
“I was energized to make our students readers. I focus on literature with our younger grades, but as they get older I incorporate technology,” she noted. “Libraries have changed since I was in elementary school, but I still believe it is a place to foster intellectual growth. It can be through reading, coding, creating book trailers, writing a school newspaper, or even STEM activities. I want our library to be the hub in our school that evolves with the times and creates a safe, nurturing environment for students to explore their interests.”
Leach noted that growing up, as he did, in Northeast Philadelphia, “there were not a lot of places to frequent without spending money. However, the library was always a welcoming place. The librarians there would recommend books that would expand my mind and challenge my opinions. For that, I will always be thankful and appreciate the work that librarians do. Librarians do such important work and that work often goes uncelebrated. Librarians can change the lives of children and adults alike.”