School library

The library should be a buzzing hive of activity in a school. Students need the space to explore and read, be independent, ask questions and find information tailored to meet their needs. April is School Library Month, and we must remember to celebrate it.

To an outsider, the school library may seem like a tucked-away quiet space, but in my experience working in middle school libraries, it is like being in a beehive.

There is never a dull moment. The space is frequented by students and staff, and makerspace activities are always buzzing.

The creativity, innovation and inquiry that occur in the school library is amazing to witness with the ebb and flow of patrons visiting.

Students can feel safe and included in the library where they can take a deep breath away from a busy, task-oriented classroom. Libraries meet the many needs of our community through quiet reading nooks and active makerspaces. A buzzing hive does not create sweet honey in isolation; we need community members to support its efforts. School libraries need an ample budget to equip the space with up-to-date technology and innovation to meet the evolving needs of our diverse learners.

Administrators, please collaborate with your librarians to best utilize this innovative learning space. Teachers, talk with your school librarians and have them recommend resources and activities for your next unit. Parents, ask your children when they last visited the school library and encourage them to engage in inquiry-based processes for personal growth. The school library may appear as a quiet hive, but with its patrons inside, it can be all the buzz.

— Elizabeth Weidner, Virginia Beach