Kathy Ishizuka

Our School Libraries 2021 project goes beyond statistics to tell the human story of the profession. With reporting from across the country, we assess the scene from Washington, DC, and Seattle to tiny Crandall, TX, and New York City.

Nearly all librarians, school and public, consider EDI/DEI in collection development, according to SLJ's recent survey. Leadership however, drew criticism for paying lip service to these efforts or, in some cases, bending to patron pressure, without real support for diversity, equity, or inclusion. 

Follett Book Fairs is closing shop. Thousands of fairs have been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, prompting the decision to shutter the business by Follett School Solutions.

It’s September, and we look to another school year, although certainly not an ordinary one. We at SLJ seek to provide the content and context to serve our readers in a ­remarkable time. I want to update you on recent efforts.

Anxiety about the return to school is sharply rising, right along with COVID-19 infection rates due to the Delta variant. To help inform K-12 school communities, a panel of Duke University experts in pediatrics, psychiatry, and neuroscience offered some advice.

In covering achievements in the library world, it’s natural to focus on outcomes, reporting and raising up the endpoint of success. This story represents a win, for sure. But as Colleen Kilbreath, director of the Stanton County (KS) Public Library recalls, it stemmed from failure.

Geared for K–12 teachers and school and public librarians, the July 27 workshop will explore practical ideas for using award-winning books and innovative programming that celebrate the Black experience.

With COVID abating, the mood is palpably lighter. Not so for Asian Americans, who fear a return to school and work—just 18 percent of Asian eighth graders returned to in-person classrooms this spring. Schools and employers must take specific action to protect AAPIs from hate, say advocates, with alternatives to more policing.

To celebrate effective partnership, School Library Journal will honor two K–12 educators—a library professional and a teacher—with a new award, sponsored by TLC.