There is a great you-tube video produced by AASL President, Dr. Nancy Everhart, and Susan Ballard (AASL President 2012-2013) which shows 100 reasons why schools need libraries. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZDSFYl9pxo ) In it she speaks about how school libraries offer a "3rd" place. A place that is not home and yet, not school. A place that can create opportunities to learn, create a good self esteem, and most importantly a safe place for children to expand their knowledge and horizons.
From my own personal experience as the head volunteer librarian, it is something more. Libraries give children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. The kids at our school range in ages from 5-12 years old. Each one of these kids realizes that checking out a book is a privilege. A privilege that comes with a responsibility. They take great pride across the age range in picking out a book that is something THEY want to read, something THEY are interested in. A challenge for some, a simple story for others. But it is important that THEY choose.
The kids also understand the book is part of a community that they are also a part of. They understand if they are to ruin or disgrace a book, it also ruins the book for everyone else. I have had kids come into the library in tears because a cover fell off or they lost a book. They feel really bad about it.
In a world where most kids have choices being made for them in play and school. Libraries, especially school libraries give them a gift. A gift of responsibility and independence.
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