Blog

What do students call you? 

The students call me Ms. Lola (she/her).

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

Our library has a class pet named Sherbert Spottington. Our library, like our school, is tiny but mighty! We started out needing to weed much of our collection and have added nearly 4,000 new books over the past two years. We built the collection using student input as our guide, so I’m proud to share that both our soccer and scary selections are particularly strong. Our enrichment teacher’s classroom is in the library, so we get to share our space, which means students are enticed by books twice as much. That keeps them coming by more often during lunch and after school.

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

Helping kids find their own joy and love for reading. Being a librarian means I get to interact with students throughout their growth from 4 to 11+ years old. I love being able to foster a place where students feel safe, seen, and at home. Growing up and going to school can be hard, and a librarian is there to support you as you develop during this critical time. Students might need help navigating tough feelings, researching the rainforest, understanding and building community, or just a quiet place to relax.

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

I love getting kids started on a cool series that other students have suggested such as Amari and the Great Game or Zoey & Sassafrass. It’s also fun to introduce authors like Jessica Kim and Joanna Ho who have visited our school. Mathical prize winners, such as How Many Jellybeans by Andrea Menotti, are really engaging and interactive for students across all grade levels.

Why are school libraries important to you?  

If you had asked me this question before I became a librarian, I would have told you that school libraries increase student achievement. Now that I’ve witnessed first-hand the way libraries can transform school cultures, I’d say libraries are essential community builders and connectors among staff, students, and families.

Tell us about your journey to working at Peralta. 

Although I worked in libraries in high school and college, I spent the next 20 years telling stories to motivate change for environmental nonprofits. I was a parent volunteer at my neighborhood school for four years and couldn’t believe my luck when Principal Sudduth hired me as a half-time library technician. I love serving our local community and learning from kids.

What do you remember about your school library?

My elementary school librarian was aptly named Mr. Reader, and I recall him helping me to discover the the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure series. So many stories, all in ONE book! In middle school, I would check out the maximum number of books allowed every single week. Eventually, I earned special privileges to visit the library on my own because I was such an avid reader. I fondly remember being ready for more advanced-level books which my librarian said would be waiting patiently for me in high school, and love sharing that same advice with my elementary students. I was a foster kid without much money, so my high school library was were I filled out my college applications, researched scholarships, and typed up my school assignments. The library team kept an eye out for me and would help me figure out how to catch a ride for college tours or get a permission slip signed for afterschool activities.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love camping and traveling with my family. This summer, we’ll be traveling to Feather River Family Camp, Oregon and Japan.

What are YOU reading now?

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide by Sheryl Ziegler. I’m also in two bookclubs and reading The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami and Something in the Woods Loves You by Jarod Anderson.