OUSD Featured Library: Martin Luther King Elementary

What do students call you? 

Ms. Rachel

What is something you’d like folks to know about your library? What makes it unique? 

My library is a safe, cozy, relaxing space for all from preschool to adults. Everyone manages to find their way to my space for a quiet break, venting session, to read, to do an art activity to play board games, or just to sit and chat. I’d like to believe that I have created a space that’s welcoming to all. I have posters with representations of all demographics and books that depict them as well. I change the theme of the main library wall each month depending on what we’re celebrating such as black history or women’s history as well as incorporating something seasonal and fun.

What is your favorite thing about working at MLK Elementary’s library? How do you see it enriching students’ education? 

I tell people all of the time this is the most rewarding job I have had thus far. Its truly just being able to bond with the students over their favorite books, and hearing them ask me for suggestions of other books they may like just based off of me getting to know what interests them over the years. Seeing how eager they are to come to library and participate in readalouds brightens up my heart. I find library sessions to be very enriching. I encourage students to read aloud during their class visits, and I’ve seen improvement from the start of the year to the end for so many students. Its one thing to read, but to actually have them retain what they read is what’s really most important. At the end of most readalouds, I’ll ask them questions about the story to see if they were listening. It brings me so much joy when they dive in with in depth explanations and their interpretation of the story.

What are some of your favorite books to share with students?

Change Sings by Amanda Gorman because it speaks on how children can making a change in the world by working together to do things to help others.

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris because I love the look on the students’ faces when I share with them that this is a true story and how she actually use to live in Oakland and not too far from where our school is located. The storyline is also very impactful as it speaks about working together and not giving up until you see change happen. Our campus could relate as we got a new playground this year.

Why are school libraries important to you?  

What do you remember about your school library?

I’ll speak from my own experiences within libraries growing up. I always saw libraries as a safe haven, a place to escape and to dive into different worlds within books. I grew up very isolated and feeling like I didn’t really fit in anywhere so being able to have a place where I could go and it be okay to be quiet and alone and not feel out of place, and eventually find a tribe of like-minded people within that space is beautiful. Libraries are also a free resourceful place for all people to gain access to books and technology, and bring people from all different demographics and backgrounds together.

Tell us about your journey to working in school libraries.

As I mentioned in my response above, libraries were like a second home for me. I was at the school library during recess or afterschool at the public library finishing homework and then checking out the books my school didn’t have until my mom picked me up after work. That was my life. So its definitely been a full circle moment to be within the space to be what the librarians were to me growing up. I will say when I first began in 2024, I was excited but also dare I say nervous. I mean it sounds crazy for someone who loves books, libraries and children to feel that way, but I was intimidated. I found myself overwhelmed, overstimulated at times, not knowing how to manage behavior, having a hard time balancing check outs and helping students find books from circulation, and clearing off my return cart before my next class arrived. I can confidently say things have gotten so much better with time, guidance, support, patience and grace with myself, as well a class a Diablo Valley College. Are things perfect? Absolutely not, but I’m so much more comfortable in my ability to teach the kiddos and help ignite a spark of joy for reading and being within the space.

What are YOU reading now?

I am currently reading a story called “Ours” by Phillip B Williams. It’s about a girl who uses her powers to rescue enslaved people from plantations that she destroyed and brings them to a secret town. Its a powerful and empowering story thus far.