Mindful School Libraries: Creating and Sustaining Nurturing Spaces and Programs

by Wendy Stephens

Given the national climate of anxiety and fear, climbing diagnoses of neurological difference, and overall sensitivity, fewer young people come to school able to self-soothe. Building on the work of Nel Noddings, Lynne Evarts, and Meghan Harper, this book focuses on the deliberation, quiet, and reflection sometimes described collectively as mindfulness.



From breathing exercises to meditation, mindfulness exercises can be a coping mechanism for at-risk students, and librarians can create an environment, away from the classroom, in which students can explore their abilities to regulate and control their social and emotional responses, skills that underpin information retrieval and analysis. The role of school libraries in promoting mindfulness in the twenty-first century could parallel the quest for intellectual stimulation and self-improvement that informed the public libraries movement in the late nineteenth century. Providing practical suggestions for working in concert with classroom teachers, school counseling staff, and community partners, this guide will inform librarians' practice by increasing awareness of how to create a nurturing space for students in the school library.

Genres: Professional Development

130 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2020

Reviews

[D. Buchanan]

Mindful School Libraries is a super resource for those looking to expand their knowledge of why mindfulness? Included are the basics of why its important for school libraries to address the SEL needs of students and how to do it! Lots of great, practical ideas that can implemented with ease. Also an extremely useful section on creating mindfulness for yourself in small steps. Probably most relevant middle and high school librarians with a flexible schedule, but those who have fixed schedule can find a lot of useful tips that can be altered to meet our needs!

[MaryAlice]

I loved how this book focused on positioning the school library as a mindful space within the school. Ideally, a school library can serve multiple purposes. It can be an information technology rich hub, an inclusive literature repository, and an oasis from the stresses of the day. There is a student mental health crisis in our world, and we can provide human connections and resources to make students feel successful, seen, and safe.

[Melody]

Good information about how the library can be a safe space for students AND staff along with creative ways to implement these strategies. I also appreciated the suggestions for programming and partnerships. The editing was abysmal though and got to the point where it was hard to overlook.

[Kris]

This is particularly valuable right now, when even the concepts behind SEL (social-emotional learning) are being challenged in schools. I'm all for anything that will allow me to support my students' mental health as a school librarian.

[Jess Jensen]

I had high hopes for this book but was very disappointed. It gave very few real strategies to use in the library, and even fewer for an elementary library where I think this is needed most. The text was also absolutely littered with typos and bad editing.

[Brooke Davis]

I teach mindfulness and yoga in my library, so much of this book was not new information for me. It may be more helpful to librarians trying to start a mindfulness program.

[Grinney Pig]

Really good ideas and well written xxxx