...they make reading come alive for kids...

New Libraries Making New York Schools Come Alive (NY Times Free Reg Required)

The article is a great inspiration and organizations like Robin Hood and the book publishers mentioned should be commended. It's just a shame that not all the school libraries can be renovated, stocked with new books, and staffed properly.

My mom was a school librarian in Compton/Lynwood in the greater LA County area for many years in elementary schools. She expressed similar concerns of funding and what not but charities such as Riordon's Foundation were able to provide resources for encouraging students to use the library. This made my mom's work a little bit easier since the newness didn't have to be marketed to the kids. I used to visit her school on my days off and it was just amazing to see the kids duck in and out before school, during recess, lunch and after school.

She kept in close contact with many of the children even until they graduated high school. I figured she had a profound effect on those kids especially the ones who liked to help her in the library. Being a librarian isn't just about the books, it's about relationships centered around storytelling. Maybe it's the same reason I sort of followed in her foot steps and went to library school.