Celebrating National School Librarian Day

Most school librarians have a story—a path shaped by curiosity, a passion for knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to students. On April 4, National School Librarian Day, we honor DC Public Charter School (PCS) librarians who cultivate a love of learning and make libraries a foundation of education.

For Renee Mojica, librarian at Sela PCS, libraries were a refuge to her when she was a child. Mojica hopes that she can create that same atmosphere for her students. “The library is a very safe place, and it's an important entity to a school. I can't get enough of fostering reading among students. Students see themselves there; it opens up this window that has been closed. It allows them to gain knowledge.”

Lena Barbosa, librarian at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School, says libraries have also shaped her life. “It’s true for me that literacy, library books, and librarians have had a huge influence on how I move through the world. The two most important gifts I ever received when I was growing up were a globe and encyclopedias. So in, in a way, I think I was always meant to be a librarian.”

For Barbosa, the school library is more than a collection of books—it can be a haven for students who may feel out of place and a foundation for belonging. “At Thurgood Marshall Academy, the library has served as a place where students who feel like they don’t fit in very well can come in and experience a sort of kinship and a sense of togetherness.”

Hannah Young, librarian at Lee Montessori PCS - East End Campus, built a brand-new library from the ground up this year. Her initiatives, including the Battle of the Books competition, a special author visit, and student research projects, have already left a lasting impact.

“For Black History Month, I organized a visit from Monique Duncan, who wrote the book Freedom Braids. She gave an awesome lesson to our students on the history of braids and how they have helped [enslaved Black women] communicate.”

Young emphasizes the importance of libraries in allowing students to see themselves in literature. “There’s a paper that says books are windows, doors, and mirrors. You can see yourself, you can see other people, and you can walk through them to other worlds. So I think that the importance of really having a library space for kids to explore things that they're interested in is just really critical, and I'm so thankful that we have invested in that.”

She is also grateful to be in a city that values school librarians. “I feel a lot of times school librarians are seen as an extra and not essential, but I really feel like we play an important role in supporting literacy in our school communities.”

For Steven Frets and Fidel Eshetu, librarians at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School’s Sonia Gutiérrez and Harvard Street Campuses, librarianship is a career driven by curiosity, service, and a commitment to student success.

“By the time I was six, I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be of service to others, and I had at least 25 questions I wanted the best answers to daily. To be able to facilitate curiosity in a setting of endless learning is why I entered librarianship. The library provides a stress-free place for learners to pursue their best selves,” said Frets.

“It’s important to recognize the crucial roles [school librarians] play in enhancing the students' learning experience by collaborating with teachers and promoting literacy, guiding students in research, providing access to and helping students use print and digital resources,” shared Eshetu.

School librarians do more than shelve books—they are mentors, educators, and champions of literacy. On National School Librarian Day, we celebrate their dedication and the lasting impact they have on students’ lives. Their passion and hard work ensure that libraries remain the heartbeat of DC Public Charter Schools—places where knowledge thrives, imagination soars, and every student has a story waiting to be discovered.