Every child deserves access to a thriving school library led by a licensed school librarian. Sunnybrook School District 171 has invested so much in creating a welcoming school library space for students, yet has not staffed the library with a licensed school librarian to support student learning.
A school library is SO much more than a place to check out books. Licensed school librarians help students develop a lifelong love of reading, teach research and digital literacy skills, collaborate with classroom teachers, curate diverse and engaging collections, and ensure that every student has equitable access to high-quality library resources.
Our students deserve the full benefits of a professionally staffed library program. Restoring a licensed librarian to the district would strengthen literacy, support classroom instruction, encourage independent reading, and provide students with the information literacy skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
We respectfully ask the Sunnybrook School District 171 Board of Education and administration to prioritize placing a licensed school librarian back in the district's libraries so that students, teachers, and families can fully benefit from the investment already made in our library program.
We also encourage parents, grandparents, community members, and taxpayers who value literacy and strong public schools to attend the upcoming Sunnybrook School District 171 Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Middle School. Your presence and your voice can help demonstrate the community's commitment to ensuring that every child has access to a professionally staffed school library.
Please sign this petition and join us in advocating for a licensed school librarian and the high-quality library program that every Sunnybrook 171 student deserves!