What makes a school library a place where students want to learn, explore, and discover? Is it the books? The technology? The programs? All of these are important, but the answer goes beyond what we provide. It’s about the possibilities we create for our students.
Last week, the South Dakota State Library named Claire Nehring, librarian at St. Joseph’s Indian School, the first recipient of its School Achievement Through Libraries (SATL) Distinguished School Librarian Award. According to the announcement, Nehring was recognized for creating a library program that combines culture, creativity, collaboration, and student engagement.
A great example of the possibilities she created is the Flight Path program, which brings together science, math, art, English Language Arts, and Lakota language and culture. Students study birds and then apply what they’ve learned by working to protect bird populations on their school campus. Rather than simply learning about a subject, students have the opportunity to use that knowledge to make a difference.
Creating possibilities is something every school librarian can do, regardless of the size of their library, their budget or time constraints.
Start with curiosity. What are your students interested in? What questions are they asking and which ones have you heard multiple times? Sometimes we become so focused on delivering curriculum and meeting standards that we overlook opportunities to encourage exploration. Pay attention to what excites your students. Ask them what they want to learn more about. Consider how you might connect those interests to the resources and learning opportunities available through your library. A student’s interest in sports, music, animals, or gaming could become the starting point for research, collaboration, or creative expression.
Look for connections. One of the strengths of school librarians is our ability to work across subject areas and grade levels. We see opportunities for connections that others may miss. Nehring’s Flight Path program demonstrates what can happen when learning moves beyond traditional subject boundaries. What connections could you help make? Talk with teachers about upcoming units. Look for ways to bring together subjects that aren’t usually taught together. Consider community organizations or local experts who could contribute to a learning experience. You don’t have to create an elaborate program. Sometimes one new connection opens the door to something much larger.
Give students ownership. Creating possibilities also means allowing students to help shape their learning. Are students involved in decisions about library programs, displays, or resources? Do they have opportunities to pursue their own questions and share what they discover? When students have a voice in what happens in the library, they become more invested in the experience. They also develop confidence in their ability to make decisions, solve problems, and contribute to their community.
As leaders, we need to look at what our libraries offer and then look to what they could become. (Remember to check your Vision here.) That doesn’t mean adding more to an already demanding schedule. It means being intentional about the opportunities we create and recognizing that even small changes can have a meaningful impact.
Take a few minutes this week to look at your library from your students’ perspective. What opportunities are available to them? What might be missing? What is one possibility you could create that would encourage them to explore something new?
Your library is more than a collection of resources. It’s a place where curiosity can grow, connections can be made, and students can discover abilities and interests they didn’t know they had. What possibilities will you create?
