[kids-lib] Fwd: [oasl-all] an anecdote to encourage you

Jane Corry janec at multcolib.org
Fri Sep 2 15:22:59 PDT 2016


THis came across the OASL listserve this morning and it was so touching
that I asked if I could share on kids-lib.

Jane

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Molly Sloan <oasl-all at ola.memberclicks.net>
Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 1:48 PM
Subject: [oasl-all] an anecdote to encourage you
To: janec at multcolib.org


Hello OASL friends,



I wanted to relate an anecdote of encouragement as we all start-up the
school year and endeavor to find, acquire and promote books that represent
all the people of our world. . .



Today our beloved custodian of twenty plus years (who is African American)
walked into our second grade classroom to empty the recycling.  A few days
ago our second grade teacher had come to me asking for books that featured
African American characters because she has an Ethiopian girl in her class
this year.  I sent her off with a  stack of good ones.  Today when our
custodian walked in, grumbling at the mountain of recycling the teacher had
generated, she turned and saw those books prominently displayed in the
classroom. Her grumbling faded.  She shook her head and with tears in her
eyes she said, “I am so happy to see these books here.”  She stayed for
several minutes and looked through many them remarking how she was going to
take her granddaughter to the public library to look for these books. When
the second grade teacher related this story to me I said, “I will send you
more like them!  And shame on us.”  Shame on us that a handful of diverse
picture books on display is a remarkable occurrence.



I’ve just spent several happy hours primping my library for kids who will
be returning to us next week.  I’ve got new books and old books and
everything in between, fiction, nonfiction, biography, picture books and
more up on display.  But everywhere and all around are books featuring
characters and cultures that are different than our dominant, Jewish, white
culture.  I’ve heard and read many discussions of books being either
windows or mirrors for people.  I intend that this library will be both for
my school community—including our wonderful custodian.



Wishing you all a great start to your school year,

Molly



*Molly Sloan | Safranit*

Portland Jewish Academy Library

P: 503.244.0126 | F: 503.452-7001



At The Schnitzer Family Campus

6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

www.pjaproud.org <http://www.portlandjewishacademy.org/> | Find PJA on
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/PJAProud> | PJA on Twitter
<http://www.twitter.com/PJAtweets> | PJA on YouTube
<http://www.youtube.com/user/PJAProud>

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<https://www.facebook.com/MJCCPDX>




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-- 
Jane Corry
Youth Librarian-Belmont Neighborhood Library
Multnomah County Library
503.988.5382
Oregon Library Association Past President


*Every adult needs a child to teach; it's the way adults learn.-Frank A.
Clark*
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