We wholeheartedly support students (and adults) reading what they like in the library. This is what builds a love of reading. Reading should not be a chore but rather a fun activity to do by oneself or with loved ones. We have lots of great books in our catalogue. 

We will not tell students what they can and cannot read (bearing in mind age appropriateness) when the purpose is pleasure reading. Families are responsible for having conversations with their child if there are certain books they don't want them to bring home. Students are instructed to follow their family's rules and wishes when choosing books. We will always do our best to show your child lots of great choices.

Advanced middle grade/young adult (red dot) books are for students in grades 6-8 due to mature content and interest level. However, if your child is in grade 5 or lower and you are ok with them checking out these books, your child will bring home a permission form. Thank you!

Further Reading

Here are some wonderful articles that support student choice in reading. Just like there are different purposes for writing, there are different purposes for reading. Reading for pleasure is just as important as reading for information. It builds empathy and an understanding of the world and the people in it. Reseach into reading choice has been happening for years and the results are conclusive and consistent: reading for pleasure and giving kids and adults choice in what they read has nothing but positive impacts on all aspects of their lives.

I Let My Kids Read Books I Don't Like "When we belittle their choices we aren’t building their confidence; we are stripping it down. Confidence is a big part of reading and kids need it to learn, I don’t want to jeopardize that by making my kids feel like something is wrong or shameful about the books they like." "You can’t teach your child to love reading; you can only help foster it. If it takes princesses and fart jokes to help me make my kids fall in love with reading, so be it."

Why is Reading for Pleasure Important?  "Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success."

The Power of Reading Choice, Time, and Pleasure "However, the skills of self-selected reading do not develop by simply offering students the books of a library and asking them to pick books. … Students who read avidly—especially young students—have been taught how to select books that interest them (Hiebert, 2014)." 

Why Choice Makes Reading More Rewarding Choice is imporant for adults too! What are you going to read today??

A New Assignment: Pick Books You Like "If the goal is, how do you make kids lifelong readers, then it seems to me that there's a lot to be said for the choice approach." 

The Benefits of Reading for Pleasure "Data from major longitudinal studies show that pleasure reading in youth is the most explanatory factor of both cognitive progress and social mobility over time (e.g., Sullivan & Brown, 2013 [PDF]; Guthrie, et al, 2001; and Kirsch, et al, 2002 [PDF]). "

Wondering how to raise a NON-READER? This Unlucky Arithmetic will show you how! 

Finding Just Right Books

The Five Finger Rule and I Pick strategies are great to help students choose books that are "just right" for them.