Illustrators Join the Fightto Save California School Libraries

Graphic novelist Kazu Kibuishi is the latest artist to join the fight to save California’s school libraries. He’s created an original work of art for librarians and their supporters to get the word out about the drastic budget cuts that have wiped out so many in the profession.

The artwork depicts Miskit, a toy rabbit character from the artist’s New York Times bestselling "Amulet" series (Scholastic), reading from a pile of books and proclaiming, “Save California School Libraries.” The series, about resistance fighters in a mythical city, have already been optioned for a movie by actor Will Smith.

A native of Japan who now lives in Alhambra, CA, Kibuishi is just the latest in a string of illustrators to join this California school library campaign that was started in early March by Marie Slim, a media specialist at Petaluma High School and a California School Librarian Association board member, and Pat Nelson of Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop in Laverne, CA.

Both Slim and Nelson asked children’s book illustrators and librarians to submit their original artwork, which they’ve used to create public awareness pins and posters to promote their cause.

Kisbuishi’s painting joins 2008 Caldecott Medal-winner Brian Selznick’s drawing of a boy running with a flag that says “Save California School Libraries” and 1998 Caldecott Honor artist David Shannon’s illustration of a boy chewing bubble gum and saying, “School Librarians Teach Every Student (even the naughty ones).” All the artwork is available for free download on the School Library Advocacy Wiki created by Slim.

Teacher-librarians and their programs have faced massive cuts statewide, from Tracy Unified School District in northern California and Garden Grove Unified School District in Orange County to Los Angeles Unified School District.

A total of 12 illustrations are available for use by any librarian, and there’s already interest from media specialists facing similar budget crises around the country.

“The illustrators have given us their approval to allow the images to be used anywhere and everywhere to support school libraries,” says Slim. “I'm hoping they are widely used.” Each artist is asking that librarians credit their work; however, they may be used on letterhead without any credit.