STUDENT VOICES, STUDENT CHOICES: Reading is an Important Goal!

I am the librarian for a high school in Alameda, California, that has a diverse student body. Out of our student body, 60% qualify for free or reduced lunch. At least 50% of the students do not have access to a computer or the internet at home. Request: Funding to buy both fiction and nonfiction books recommended by students. Initially, book purchases will be made based on recommendations made by students in response to a survey. These books will be displayed, ready for check-out, in a newly identified section of our library. Student library assistants will choose a catchy name for the section and design a sign that will attract attention to the area. They will also produce a monthly newsletter containing book reviews contributed by students. Copies of these will reside on a shelf near the special student section. A clearly-labeled binder will hold a copy of each installment and thus create a growing volume containing all of the students' recommendations. The plan is also to have student volunteers promote reading by giving “book talks” – short, engaging introductions to books they have read and recommend without giving away the ending! Rationale: Students need to read. All the recent research shows that amount counts and that contrary to most beliefs, the content doesn't matter as much as we think when it comes to increasing students' ability and desire to become avid, capable, and independent readers. Having stated that, we always want students to put valuable, inspiring, and helpful information into their brains. Good books have the power to do this, but only if they are actually read by students! We hope that students will be motivated to read titles that fellow students have enjoyed. In addition, students need to think. They need to contemplate important issues that affect their lives and the world around them. They need to form opinions based upon thoughtful consideration. One of the ways to foster this behavior is to demonstrate that we are interested in what students think and are willing to listen to their ideas, whether or not we agree with them. For this to happen, we need to ask their opinions! Creating a student recommended book collection will reinforce this important educational goal. NOTE: The library/media center teacher will be responsible for the final approval of all titles recommended for purchasing.