I have known that I wanted to be a librarian since the age of 9. Even before that, my life was one surrounded by books and literature.
My mother always said that she used to read to me constantly as a child, because in her words, "it was the only time in which I would be quiet.”
The summer reading events at the public library were the best times of my life as a young child. When I was in elementary school, I was extremely proud to become a library assistant during my fourth grade year. Most kids had to wait until fifth grade, but I was trusted to help a year earlier than anyone else.
During middle and high school, the library became my haven, a safe space free from bullies and torment. The librarians supported and encouraged me and were a bright spot in my otherwise dark teenage days.
In college, I majored in English because I got to read, and as soon as my bachelor's degree was completed, I immediately pursued a master's in library science.
Since 1998, I have worked in libraries of all sorts, from academic and public to the public schools. I have encouraged literacy at all levels, supported student learning, provided resources to students and staff, solved technology issues, battled censorship, taught research skills and how to avoid plagiarism, evaluated and selected appropriate materials, attended professional seminars, advocated for student needs, maintained the library collection, kept track of the district's inventories, and much, much more.
Every year, I come to work a week before my media techs, unpacking new materials and processing Chromebooks for new students. I am responsible for setting up the library
calendar, planning events, and communicating with parents, administrators, teachers and other staff members.
Teacher librarians facilitate the transfer of materials between sites in the district. This year alone, we have had 236 textbooks transferred between sites. If you average prices to $50 per book (and most of them are much more expensive), that alone saved the district around
$12,000. We maintain student records, monitoring student withdrawals and new enrollments, providing oversight and accountability for district items that the students check out.
We are the first line of defense in technology support. Teacher librarians support all academic
areas, teach valuable skills, and highlight the commitment this district has to providing students with a quality education.
This is in addition to providing emotional support and a safe haven to those in need.
We are sometimes the first introduction a child has to various types of literature. Through story-time and book talks, we foster communities, critical thinking, comprehension skills and a love of learning.
Every week, I have the privilege of reading to the preschoolers at our building, and even the loudest child quickly settles down when I turn the first page. Research has shown that reading
to young children even before they can understand teaches them to associate books with love and affection.
As they grow, teacher librarians strive to find that “perfect” book for students to cement this crucial foundation.
If the levy fails, there will be no teacher librarian in any Battle Ground school. To me, this feels like a punch in the gut. Libraries and all they stand for have been my life's blood since I was a child.
Please remember that this is a replacement levy. Community members are already paying $1.68 per $1,000 in assessed value. The district is asking for $1.95 per $1,000. That’s only 27 cents. With all the cuts that will happen if the levy fails, I'm devastated at the prospect that the students in this district will be deprived of so much for the sake of so little.
Please, vote yes.
Kelly Briddon
Camas
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