January 24, 2023 — Research shows that high-achieving schools have high-quality libraries. This starts with elementary schools and goes through colleges and universities. Just this week an article in the Peabody Journal of Education states, “School leaders can empower their entire school community by leveraging the expertise of their school librarian and the school library’s print and digital tools and technologies to ensure that students have a more equitable and successful educational experience. Viewed through a lens of economic efficiency, school libraries are a high-value investment in student success.”
As Kansans, if we want test scores to go up and costs to go down, invest in your school library.
I was reminded of why we do this work by Brenna Talbot in Stafford. She sent this picture of 1st graders in Mrs. Schultz’s class – currently being taught by Mrs. Scoles.
Zach, “I love my Kansas Library because I love to hear Mrs. Talbot read the books. It is calming.”
Aden, ” I love my Kansas Library because I love looking for cooking books.”
Kyla, “I love my Kansas Library because there are books that help people learn.”
Samson, “I love my Kansas Library because I love to read about the cool Marine guys.”
Hagan, “I love my Kansas Library because I love to read books about horses.”
There is no better research than asking children themselves. Children want to learn and a lot of learning takes place at Kansas school libraries.