The 14 library teachers of the School District of La Crosse worked together to create the district-wide Growing Readers initiative in 14 buildings for 6000 students and 1000 staff. Over the course of the school year, we focused on three facets of librarianship: advocacy for reading, finding the right books for students, and creating a culture of reading where students can progress as readers. This grassroots project was designed not only to advocate for our libraries but also to create lifelong learners, readers, and library users among all of our students and staff.

The mission of the School District of La Crosse library program…

… promotes the library as a virtual and physical place to read, learn, and expand personal and educational horizons. The mission of the Library program is to ensure students and staff have access to high quality print and digital materials for class and personal use in order to become effective users and creators of ideas and information, and responsible savvy digital citizens. The Library program provides educational technology support for the design and creation of projects; reading promotions for personal and information use; recommendations for online research resources; Makerspace opportunities; and the instructional steps toward eventual independent learning. Students may come to the library individually, in small groups, or with an entire class to use the space and available physical and digital resources.