The Importance of Classroom Libraries

Hello all! Today, I will be telling you my own story of the impact a classroom library has had on my life, and thus, why I am so passionate about access to classroom libraries.

It all started with Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I was 12, and I went down the shore where my cousin showed me the movie. I became instantly obsessed with Greek mythology. When I found it it was a book series, I had to get my hands on it. I read those books until the spines cracked, and they were literally falling apart when I touched them. They were my favorite books, so I was convinced I would never find other books I loved. I went the entire sixth grade school year only doing academic reading. Until one day, my sixth-grade teacher showed me The Hunger Games.

They were on a shelf behind her desk, and I know now they were her personal copies of the books. She lent them to students to read because she knew how important it was to foster children's love of reading. After I read them, I learned what genre I loved most: fantasy. I started reading so much more after that year. Without access to these books in a classroom, I do believe I would not have developed a love for reading like I have now. Considering this love of reading is what has inspired me to become an English teacher, I am grateful every day for that teacher.

I believe that all students deserve the opportunity and access to read books for their age. Not all schools have the funding for these books in a library or even a library at all. I am passionate about this because it has set me on a career path for a lifetime of teaching English literature. Reading is still one of my favorite hobbies today. I prefer reading to writing and to watching TV! Even if reading isn't everyone's favorite past time, I believe the right book can make a difference.