November 2022 Library Update

We observed Native American History Month in the Library in November. We had a display of diverse books including non-fiction, fiction, and graphic novels. 

Last month I attended the Massachusetts Library System annual meeting. I had the pleasure of hearing Cynthia Leitich Smith, who, along with speaking about her awesome books Ancestor Approved and Hearts Unbroken (among my favorites), also provided a list of books by indigenous authors, which helped to add to our collection. 

Some 9th and 10th graders have the choice to read Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, which is a thriller that takes place on the Sugar Island Ojibwe reservation, as an extra credit reading choice. I highly recommend it.  
 

I am currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmer, adapted by Monique Grey Smith, and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt. It is the loveliest science read I can remember, and it has opened my eyes to my own anthropocentrism.  

In the library windows, we are recognizing contemporary indigenous figures with posters created by a librarian at The Park School and generously shared out to the Elementary Independent School Librarians listserv. 

November 20th was Transgender Awareness Day which honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. I made a display of books that serve as resources and provide a balance of joy in self-discovery and found community. 

I closed off the month by attending the annual People of Color Conference in San Antonio. A highlight of my life was hearing the amazing poet, writer, activist, and educator Nikki Giovanni speak and give a shout-out to librarians. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to go to this conference and to my colleagues, students, and library volunteers for keeping the library up and running while I was away.

By today everyone should have gotten overdue notices. Please use the weekend to look for or finish up overdue books to return next week. You want to have plenty of space to take lots of books home during the break. Remember, you always have access to great ebooks and audiobooks through Sora.