Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow: Why Student Library Patrons are Tomorrow's Leaders

ALA Leadership Institute, Winter 2014

I saw a video today of a young child posing the question, “Why would anyone want to go there?” in response to a statement that people went to libraries to first use computers because they weren’t economical to own personally. It was meant to be humorous. Everyone laughed. Even I chuckled. I know the intent, but I admit I felt a sting of sadness.

It’s disheartening that a child so young—traditionally the time in life when libraries are loved most—would question the pleasures afforded her through the library. Why would she love the library? Because nowhere else can she ride on a giant red dog, partake in mischief with a curious monkey, or go to school with a cool cat wearing colored shoes and big groovy buttons—all for free. In a society that largely fails to celebrate childhood, that a child anywhere should miss out on feeling the warm embrace of her librarian’s smile as she opens the door to wonder, imagination, and enchantment is a grave misfortune to me…and one worthy of a moment’s silence…and a call to action.

 At the end of the day—at the end of the sting and the sadness—that little girl’s question left me empowered. Our district rallies around librarians because they know we’re important. I impact student learning because I have the privilege of welcoming every kid—every time. In my library, kids matter because they’re kids—not because they’re elected, not because they perform, not because they’re good at fill-in-the-blank. Rita Pierson said, “No significant learning takes place without a significant relationship.” I have nothing but relationship to offer kids—relationship to others, relationship to resources, relationship to knowledge, and relationship to success.

My kids become tomorrow’s leaders because my kids learn today that they make a difference. Without student patrons, school libraries cease to be important; without tomorrow’s leaders, school libraries become purposeless. My kids become tomorrow’s leaders because they learn today that even if they don’t have the answer, someone somewhere does—an author, a tweeter, a blogger, a journalist—and I teach them how to seek out that information. I teach them to navigate the mangled portals of today’s information highways. My kids become tomorrow’s leaders because in my library they learn today that everybody belongs, everybody makes a difference, everybody has a purpose. In my library, no one’s judging, no one’s grading, no one’s scoring; everyone’s welcome.

According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) website, “Simply being able to use technology is no longer enough. Today's students need to be able to use technology to analyze, learn and explore. Digital age skills are vital for preparing students to work, live and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities.” ISTE offers six standards for 21st century students: creativity and innovation; communication and collaboration; research and information fluency; critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making; digital citizenship; and technology operations and concepts. My library offers opportunities for students to explore each facet of 21st century learning. So in answer to why would anyone want to go to the library…“To learn today, little girl, to lead tomorrow. Come to the library to learn to lead.”