I was filled with so much love this afternoon that the only thing I managed was a quick Canva post on our library’s social media and two Blow Pops or else I would explode glitter, confetti, rainbows, and hearts.

Our school library is a busy place with a minimum of sixty students per period and considerably more during lunch shifts. The design of our library includes a circulation desk that sits toward the center but doubles as an information hub where both our library assistant and one librarian sit. So I usually spend my day staring out at all of the students in our library and fielding questions and problem-solving while trying to get a bit of work done if not teaching and planning with teachers. This means while I’m on the desk, I tend to overhear things and see plenty of things but it gives us plenty of face-time with students.

I looked up when I heard a girl’s voice that was a little louder than the others. I watched a moment and realized that she was reading aloud to a friend sitting across the table. I waited a moment. I called out and asked if she was reading the book I thought she was reading. She said yes. She continued reading out loud to her friend. Then she continued to read aloud for the next 15 minutes.

Not knowing what to do with my bursting librarian heart, I posted this

to our social media and then went to our backroom where we keep a stash of Blow Pops as thank yous to students. I walked over and shared them and showed them what I had just posted. They giggled and continued as I went back to my work before the bell rang.

There are moments in librarianship where you know exactly why you’re doing what you do. And this was one of those moments.

Who said teenagers don’t read?