Welcome!
Welcome to the Reading topic page. The purpose of this page is to engage and connect librarians in active dialog about reading topics in order to strengthen and stretch our thinking and practice. The resources found on this page are intended to spark interest and elicit discussion on various topics related to reading. It is not enough for us to read articles and books, listen to podcasts, or watch webinars. Instead, we must actively engage with this content AND connect with other practitioners and experts to discuss our thoughts, learnings, misconceptions, and questions. This page will be a place for you to dig deeper and to connect with other librarians as we grow both personally and professionally.
Melissa Thom
Teacher Librarian
Melissa Thom
Teacher Librarian
Providing All Students with the Opportunity to Learn
by Melissa ThomWhen you think the word access in relation to librarianship, what comes to mind? For me, there are a variety of thoughts that flood into my brain such as not only physical access, but emotional and mental access as well. In Game Changer: Book Access for All Kids, Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp stress the importance of readers having access to physical books that they can choose and own. We cannot stop at access alone though and must grapple with what it means to offer equitable access. In many cases, we think of equitable access in terms of funding or technology, but it really requires that all students have equal opportunity to learn. Read More >>
Video
![Book Access: Challenges and Successes [11:02]](https://schoollibraryconnection.com/assets/mediaserver/SLC/2262/2262211s.jpg)
In this video accompaniment to her opening essay, "Providing All Students with the Opportunity to Learn," Melissa shares some of her recent successes and challenges in helping students access books—and invites you to respond with your own stories.
Selected Reading
This excerpt from Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp's book Game Changer discusses the importance of students' owning books.
Feature
To ensure that deaf/hard-of-hearing students have the same access as hearing students to resources and programming designed to meet their learning needs, school librarians must consider the needs of these students in all aspects of library services.
Selected Reading
In this excerpt from The Power of Reading Stephen Krashen discusses the connection between reading and access to books.
Feature
If a student simply cannot read, no amount of book talking or reader's advisory is going to help. First, you have to help that student learn how to read. In most cases, the classroom teacher is responsible for the mechanics of teaching a child to read, however, the school librarian can play a critical role.
Article
The ability to check out an unrestricted number of books encourages students to be adventurous with their reading choices and makes them feel more in control of the library experience.