rgz Newsflash: Help Needed for School Libraries

We recently got word from Beth Yoke, the executive director of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA):

We need your help! Carl Harvey, President of the American Association of School Librarians, has initiated a White House petition on school libraries, which specifically petitions the Obama administration to “ensure that every child in America has access to an effective school library program.” About 17,000 signatures are still needed in order for this petition at http://wh.gov/Wgd to be reviewed by White House staff. Please sign the petition and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to sign it by Feb. 4, 2012, and help us spread the word about it (if you send a Tweet, please use #saveschoollibraries). We really appreciate your support!  To learn more about how you can support school libraries, visithttp://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslissues/toolkits/parentoutreach.  Thanks for all that you do to open up the world of reading to young people.

Easy enough right? And how important are those school libraries? Mine was a haven in the midst of all things school. First, it was air conditioned! Very important in Miami. Second, it was quiet. Third, I knew exactly how to behave among the stacks of books waiting to be opened. Everything is clear and orderly in the world of school libraries. You find what you need. Help all young people to access the haven!