My students need good quality engaging books to choose from. Many of our students are low level readers who crave exciting high-interest, low level books. Our library is incredibly outdated with books averaging from the 1990s.
I am a teacher-turned school librarian at a small rural elementary school. Our library was shut down for several years due to budget cuts. I am in the process of updating and breathing life back into our little library. My goal as a librarian is to inspire and create life-long readers, as well as preparing our students for 21st-century learning. Many of my students don't have technology access at home and as a result, their only reading comes from books they check out during library time. Even though many of my students face daily struggles and challenges, they show up in the library eager to read and relax.
I have students who come in during their recess and lunch time for the purpose of finding a great book to read.
They would rather be in the library getting lost in adventures with great books, over being outside playing. I love seeing their eyes light up when they find a great story to read. This love of literacy is especially important to instill since I know that books are not always valued and appreciated in my students' homes.
My Project
Our little library is a safe haven for students at my school, as well as being a place to come check out a book to read. Students come in daily during recess and lunch to check out books or relax at bit. One of the challenges that I face in working in a small school district, is having the funds to update the library with fresh, engaging and motivational books. More often than not, I will have students or teachers come and look for a book in a series or an author that we simply don't have the complete set of. There are so many great authors and wonderful books out there that I don't have the resources to bring them into our library.
These new books will allow students to become excited about discovering a new series or author and continue their quest to finish their favorite series or follow their favorite authors.
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