Be An Expert! Find a Passion!

One of the most important offerings of the school library is to provide an opportunity for children to follow their own keen interests. Although the school library should have deep connections to classroom curriculum, and the librarian should work intimately with teachers on assigned research projects, I love the fact that children can come here and pursue their own personal passions every single week. When I was in library school, the concept of a "fixed" library schedule -- regular weekly visits -- was frowned upon as old-fashioned and not attuned to modern learning; the "best practice" model was for classes to come to the library, with their teachers, only on pre-arranged visits in order to do a research project. The visits could be for long block periods and might occur every day for a few weeks, after which there wouldn't be a regular class library visit until another research project was announced. I hate the idea of seeing children only when they have a school assignment.

Instead, our children have regular weekly or alternate weekly visits. After I do a lesson on library skills, a book talk, a read-aloud, or a discussion about research strategies or other formal teaching, the children have about 20 minutes to look for and read anything that interests them. This year I am grateful to have Lauren as a library assistant, so that both of us can help children find things they are curious about. Over the years, I have seen children develop passions for a surprising array of topics. Many of them read avidly, year after year, in their chosen field. These children are known as the local experts.

Need to identify an insect? Ask Sam! What to know about the Israeli Defense Forces? Ask David! What kind of horse is this? Ask Alexandra! Curious about beavers? Ask Patrick. Want to know anything about the planets? Find Julia. Need a good book about slavery? Ask Emma! Want to know anything about the Civil War? Talk to John. Wondering about tsunamis? Ask Jacob!

Parents can help children follow a passion, find an interest or spark a child's curiosity. The library is the perfect place to start.

Check out this video of a 3 year old with a passion - thanks to my colleague Joanna Gibson for sharing it. (If the embed doesn't work, click here.)