The Shadow
Whereas, April 2024 has been designated the 39th annual National School Library Month; and the week of April 8-12, 2024 as National School Library Week
Whereas, school libraries provide materials and resources for teachers and students that will encourage a growth mindset and spark inquiry-based knowledge; ensuring that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information and school libraries contribute to the individual growth and development of all students, while fostering both excellence and equity in education; and
Whereas, recognizing the school librarian’s roles to provide the leadership and expertise necessary to ensure that the school library is an integral part of the instructional program of the school; and school libraries provide materials that will develop literacy skills, cultural awareness, aesthetic appreciation, and ethical standards;
Whereas, school libraries provide materials which reflect the ideas and awareness of different social, political, historical and ethnic groups and their contributions to becoming responsible and ethical American and Virginia Commonwealth citizens, while also acknowledging world heritage and culture; and
Whereas, school libraries provide access to both physical and digital books and multimedia formats to encourage children to read for pleasure, as lifelong learners; and learning begins and is systematically developed through the school library curriculum of the elementary and secondary schools; and
Whereas, school libraries provide materials to meet individual needs, varied interests, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds and maturity levels of the students served; and
Whereas, school libraries serve as positive environments for all students to access and engage with a well-managed, professionally curated library that provides for free expression and access to ideas;
Whereas, the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Board of Education has entrusted the school librarian in each school to teach the skills of locating and using information through traditional resources and new technologies, to provide literature appreciation activities, and to guide and encourage content and recreational reading to every student;
Now, therefore be it resolved that the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools declare the month of April 2024 as “School Library Month”. The school librarians of AHPS have dedicated themselves to work for and build quality school libraries for all students, staff and school families.
