The Everyday Bravery of Students in the Library

N

6

School Libraries; Cooperation; Participative Decision Making; Student Participation; Citizen Participation; School Support; Peer Relationship; Peer Groups; Animals; LGBTQ People; African American Students; African American Attitudes; State Departments of Education; Clubs; Blacks; Resilience (Psychology)

1094-9046

In the author's experience, students are often coming to the school library to explore new ideas and concepts that they may not be able to explore in the traditional classroom because of curricular demands or time constraints. And the library is always open to that exploration. According to the author, they build the high-interest collections for this purpose. The author ensures they have books that capitalize on students' curiosity and allow them to learn new things about themselves -- to be brave and see where they can go. Then there are those who come to learn in less traditional ways in the library. The author states they are notorious for always saying "Yes!" to trying something new in the library if students make a case for it. This is how they have gotten a bearded dragon, a sewing club, a recording studio, coding workshops, a Dungeons & Dragons club, and a forthcoming e-sports team. Saying "Yes" comes from a wish to respect students' courage to explore. But having a pet also gives the students a moment to show a different kind of bravery: feeling vulnerable but doing something anyway. In New York City, the Department of Education has an initiative called "Respect for All." The author's campus serves a primarily Afro-Caribbean population. This means students who are queer are feeling a tremendous amount of societal pressure. Books on relationships, sexuality, abuse, dealing with being arrested -- resources on topics that students are dealing with but are too nervous to check out. All of this seeking of this important and sensitive information takes bravery, even if young people choose not to interface with me to acquire it. Most of the time, it's an admission to themselves that they need guidance. It takes bravery to organize your peers, to take charge, and to build a community. It takes courage to work together and to make decisions on your own. Because the school library is a center of self-guided learning, it harnesses this brand of bravery. The school library is a proving ground for leadership, collaboration, and finding oneself. Students demonstrate this every day in school libraries across the country. Students see the school library as somewhere worth fighting for, and their bravery is the truly sustaining power in our space.

ERIC

2024

EJ1438737