Overdue recognition for school librarians

In public education, it can be so easy to overlook some of our most influential educators. We see so many faces day to day that it can be simple to miss some of the most essential beings in a school setting: The school librarians.

April 4, National School Librarian Day, is a day to recognize and appreciate some of the community’s most valuable leaders in education.

SALLY DODGE

When you walk into the Borah Library, you are greeted with the smiling face of Mrs. Dodge. As the librarian at Borah Elementary for nine years, she enjoys the challenge of “getting a good-fit book” for each student. Sally Dodge has a life-long passion for young primary education and believes that the “love of reading ... is a gift that carries them through life.”

To her, the importance of childhood reading is not only educational, but a healthy way to pass the time. Her favorite aspect of being a librarian is when she reads aloud to the children a book that grabs their attention and fuels their imagination and passion for reading.

PAUL SUTTON

Paul Sutton at Lake City High School is not your average librarian. With a vivid personality and a boisterous spirit, Mr. Sutton has a connection with his high school students that not many others are able to attain.

The library at Lake City is unique. It is not only a school library, but after school hours it becomes a public library. Mr. Sutton says when the public library addition was first proposed he was hesitant, but he soon “realized what it could do for the students”. There are so many services that a library provides for high school students whether it be researching information, reading for fun, or the use of provided technology. Mr. Sutton’s main goal as a high school librarian and a supporter of student education is to “provide an avenue for students who enjoy reading” and to “encourage those who aren’t readers.”

GAIL RAY

At Prairie View Elementary, Gail Ray provides a colorful and exciting setting for her 1st through 5th graders. She enjoys “helping kids discover the love of reading”. Her weekly library lessons for each class consist of teaching the students various library skills such as the Dewey Decimal System, different types of sources, and the main genres of books.

Mrs. Ray believes it is important to provide kids with books that “spark their interest” and include valuable lessons that the students will learn from. Her library, along with most school libraries, is mostly funded by book fairs that the school holds 2 to 3 times every year. These provide the library with many different genres so that every kid can find a book that they will love. To Gail Ray, reading “will take you everywhere.”

SUE McLAUCHLIN

At Post Falls High School, Sue McLauchlin makes it her mission to teach students how to do research the appropriate way. She provides them with the skills necessary to explore and analyze using technology and the library book collection. On the flip side, Mrs. McLauchlin has a soft spot for the fictional reading. With a color-coordinated and carefully shelved array of fictional books, the students at Post Falls High School are able to efficiently find a book that they can enjoy.

Sue McLauchlin believes that “every kid should have a library card” because the love of reading and the gathering of knowledge are valuable gifts that will guide them through life. She enjoys teaching the students how to use the resources available to them and recognizing the students who are avid readers in order to encourage more reading. Mrs. McLauchlin is proud to be a librarian of such “nice, kind, and respectful” kids in such a productive and accessible environment.