In Starfish by Lisa Fipps, one of my favorite young adult novels, Ellie, the main character, captures how meaningful a librarian’s presence can be: “[The librarian is] the first person to smile at me today./The first to make me feel wanted./Understood./I blink back tears./It’s unknown how many students’ lives/librarians have saved/by welcoming loners at lunch.”
The word welcoming truly resonates with me. As a librarian, one of my biggest goals has always been to create a warm, inviting space where students feel safe, valued, and genuinely welcome.
My library may have mismatched shelves, well-loved books, and less space than others. But my students know they’re welcome, and they know I care.
I understand the lasting impact a caring librarian can have on students and the community, and that’s something I never take for granted. I want every student to see the library as a place where they’re met with a friendly face and a caring heart each time they step in. My hope is that by associating the library with positive experiences, they’ll also see books as part of that positivity.
Everyone envisions a library differently. Some may prioritize pristine books, beautiful decor, or extravagant furniture, and while these elements can add to the atmosphere, they aren’t what makes a library truly special. A flawless, showroom-like space doesn’t necessarily equate to a welcoming one.
Ultimately, whether it’s a school library or a public one, our mission is to draw patrons back time and again. If they’re not feeling that pull, we need to ask ourselves why. If our vision of a “perfect” library lacks warmth and connection, perhaps it’s time to rethink it.
If the library is a place people avoid, we should reflect on what or who might be contributing to that atmosphere and consider what changes could bring people back.
I’ve seen firsthand how a library’s warmth can fade. I think of a library that once meant a lot to me but now feels unwelcoming, and that makes me very sad.
I hope it finds its warmth again. Until then, I’ll hold onto that memory of coldness as a reminder of how I never want to treat my students.
Libraries are more than buildings filled with books. Organized shelves and perfect decor only go so far. It’s a warm smile and a caring heart that make the real difference.
Just like Ellie in Starfish, I hope everyone who enters a library feels empowered, seen, and embraced, finding in it a place they can always return to for support and connection.
Michelle Hilburn is a librarian at Purdy schools. She may be reached at mhilburn@purdyk12.com.
