Certainly it was a full day for Woodbridge High student’s podcast studio. Yet, the ability to connect to authors on a level outside, and inside literacy emphasized that writing has no borders. Thanks again to Biblion and Browseabout Book stores, after arranging a visit with signed books to Woodbridge’s Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, children’s book editor and writer Traci N. Todd, whose work centers on Black culture and social justice, sat down with our student podcast interview team. Followng Ms. Traci N. Todd’s Woodbridge visit, she went on to be an integral part of the History Book Festival in Lewes.

From the time relevant issue of Manga and illustrated books, to the process and technical ins and outs of writing, to simply inspiration and living a good life, Ms. Traci N. Todd provided gifts of wisdom and instruction that have led her down paths through Ezra Jack Keats and poet Robert Frost. With House Bill 198, there are so many niches that school librarians and libraries can offer that connect to black culture that have impacts on all of us today. From not taking for granted the naming of our elementary school Phillis Wheatley, to how our decisions today impact all races, this is an opportunity for all schools to find creative steps forward in enhancing the curriculum and inspiring youth. From clubs like Girls Who Code to Black Girls Who Dive recently represented at Coast Day in Lewes, school librarians and libraries need to thrive and provide gateways for opportunity for students, not merely textbook page turning assignments to cover a bill’s requirement. HB 198 should inspire our educational systems, not belabor it.

It is interesting as you experience the series of experiences the last few days the Walter P.J Gilefski Media Center has had the privilege to be involved with. When you include students voices and involvement from the very beginning, more positive results occur in all that happens after. I thought this after Manga had been pulled from a nearby school library district, as also thinking about how individuals other than youth are consulted when it comes to what is appropriate, when students can visit their own school libraries, who consults the youth when a decision is made about removing a librarian or library, and how areas are set up in new libraries with youth are not consulted. How much different would scenarios play out when youth’s voices are part of the planning, collection management, building, and staffing of facilities, individuals, and resources that directly motivate and promote literacy?

Too often enough, youth are the last group consulted or informed of decisions that involve them from day to day, from plans of new businesses and opportunities in communities, to school librarian and library access, to opinions and views on the layout of a media center, to the removal of the very resources that help lift an individual up in a moment of need. Voice. With Traci N. Todd’s visit, many of the students realized they can be, and should be, a part of their own futures and have a say and a direct impact on decisions they are often left out of.

One of the best stories Ms. Traci N. Todd shared with her experience with Phillis Wheatley was the fact that when she told and shared that she had written her book, Holding Her Own – The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by herself, elementary students applauded her and congratulated her. They congratulated her work she finished, just as Ms. Traci N. Todd was encouraging each of these young people to follow their dreams as well.

I felt we need to each do our own part to continue to support the fact that school libraries and librarians in the state of Delaware are always a staple of anyone’s education, and continue to bring connections inside and outside of the classroom for everyone to realize their potential. Working with independent books stores, community event planners, and more, much more in education is achieved and realized. Thank you Ms. Traci N. Todd for sharing so much for so many in one day and thank you Billion and Browseabout bookstores for putting piece of real life in so many student’s hands.