Hannah Byrd Little is the author of A Sense of Place: School Libraries at the Heart of Learning, Connection, and Belonging. I hope this interview encourages you to read her book and to be inspired anew.
Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I’m Hannah, a school librarian—specifically a boarding school librarian—working at a 6–12 grade independent international school in an incredibly rural and quaint town in Tennessee with a rich history supporting school libraries. Our school is 156 years old and resembles many of the classic New England–style boarding schools.
Briefly summarize A Sense of Place: School Libraries at the Heart of Learning, Connection, and Belonging.
Yes, the book is very intentionally about space and place. It is, at its heart, a passionate argument for the absolute need for school libraries.
The chapter titles all begin with “A Place…” because each chapter introduces a different aspect of what the library can be—and importantly, the very first place is a Place for the Librarian, followed by:
- A Place to Enter
- A Place of Inspiration
- A Place of Comfort
- A Place to Collaborate
- A Place to Learn
- A Place to Create
- A Quiet Place
- A Place for Expression
- A Place to Meet
- A Place for Community
Each one explores how the physical environment, the atmosphere, and the design of the library contribute to learning, connection, and belonging in a school.
Why did you decide to write this book?
I kept hearing stories everywhere about schools losing libraries, schools being built without libraries, and libraries sitting abandoned in schools without librarians. Those stories stayed with me and made me realize that we need stronger language and clearer advocacy for what school libraries actually are and why they matter so deeply to a school community.
For new school librarians, is there one type of place you recommend as a starting point for growing the school library?
I’m not entirely certain what is meant by “one type of place,” but I do hope new librarians don’t become overwhelmed. We wear innumerable hats, and the book certainly talks about those hats. But you really must take it one day at a time to prevent burnout.
When I was new at the university library before transitioning to schools, a librarian told me: library work is like housework—it will still be there tomorrow. It is never really complete. That advice has stayed with me. You cannot do everything in a year, and that’s okay.
How do changes in technology use (i.e., phone bans, AI, etc.) impact the library and its place in schools?
With each new development, we often feel like we have to justify our existence. But we have made it through so many changes over time—the Internet, then Google, then smartphones disrupting reading culture.
Now we will need to navigate a new reality where teachers and professors may turn to AI before they think to reach out to librarians. This is simply the next evolution, and libraries will adapt as they always have.
What are two things you hope all readers take away?
First, I hope to give school librarians the language and tools they can use when working with administrators.
Second, I hope school librarians regain a little vocational awe—because goodness knows we need it. We have been through library closures, book bans, doxing, demonizing, and exhausting legislative efforts that have pushed many of us into constant fight mode. I hope readers are reminded that school libraries and school librarians truly make a difference, and that they are real librarians and absolute professionals.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to share. I sincerely hope the book is helpful to those who read it. The book is available on February 5th.
My website – https://www.librarianlittle.com/
My most active social media is Instagram –
0 Comments