Reading as Resistance — The PSLA/PARSL Silent Read-In at #ALAAC25

One of the most moving moments of the day was the PSLA/PARSL Read-In, a silent protest drawing attention to the lack of school librarians in Philadelphia. Organized by the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL), the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA), and EveryLibrary, It was powerful to see so many people gathered together reading in solidarity to bring attention to the fact the Philadelphia public schools do not have enough school librarians. In actuality they only have five librarians for 218 schools. Sitting on the steps of the School District of Philadelphia Administration Building were librarians from across the county, because unfortunately Philadelphia isn’t the only plaice without enough school librarians. We were all sitting and reading, print books, Kindles, iPads, and phones. I spotted Fahrenheit 451, Moby Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird, and children reading Dog Man and The Baby-Sitters Club.

So many recognizable people in our library community were there. John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, Barbara Stripling and Kathy Lester, former American Association of School Librarians (AASL) presidents, school librarian of the year KC Boyd, and so many more. It was a reminder that many of us may be “retired,” but we haven’t stopped advocating. We still show up, because we know how vital school libraries are to student success.

Arlene Laverde (she/her/hers) is an adjunct and academic advisor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies Program at Queens College, CUNY, where she prepares future school librarians for school library life. She has a strong background in education and librarianship, and brings real-world experience and a passion for intellectual freedom, equity, and access to her teaching. She retired from her full time school librarian job in the summer of 2024 And is now focusing on a variety of library passions: children’s books, information freedom, and advocacy. She is looking forward to hearing George Takei and attending the Newbery/Caldecott Reception. Her life isn’t all about libraries though, she has been married for over 32 years and has two grown sons.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

The post Reading as Resistance — The PSLA/PARSL Silent Read-In at #ALAAC25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 One of the most moving moments of the day was the PSLA/PARSL Read-In, a silent protest drawing attention to the lack of school librarians in Philadelphia. Organized by the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL), the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA), and EveryLibrary, It was powerful to see so many people gathered together reading in solidarity to bring attention to the fact the Philadelphia public schools do not have enough school librarians. In actuality they only have five librarians for 218 schools. Sitting on the steps of the School District of Philadelphia Administration Building were librarians from across the county, because unfortunately Philadelphia isn’t the only plaice without enough school librarians. We were all sitting and reading, print books, Kindles, iPads, and phones. I spotted Fahrenheit 451, Moby Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird, and children reading Dog Man and The Baby-Sitters Club. So many recognizable people in our library…
The post Reading as Resistance — The PSLA/PARSL Silent Read-In at #ALAAC25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.  Read More

ALSC Blog