December 06, 2025
If you thought librarians were successful because of adults alone? Guess again. Librarianship is not insular or in a silo- as you see here- students are learning from Junior Library Guild Collection Development Partner, Cheryl Schepflin, how to go into their dashboard and student selection choices that they want to see in their library.
Students (gasp) becoming experts in their school library? Obtaining real world experience in PR, digital literacy and how that impacts them in and out of school?
That is what school librarians can offer. What does yours do? We want to hear your stories!
Instagram- @youthforschoollibrariesde
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/YouthforSchoolLibraries/
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December 05, 2025
Woodbridge High’s Girls Who Code as highlighted tonight on the Facilitator Workshop for Girls Who Code for their involvement in utilizing Science and Tech with drones, 360 degree cameras, robotics and more.
We are excited to show what we have been doing and what we will do, and awesome to be profiled alongside the South Carolina Girls Who Code. Raiders ROCK and so proud of these young lady Raiders – You will love to see what we have been dabbling in – stay tuned!
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November 29, 2025
Literacy, Santa, and Youth. We loved thefact so many loved their books but loved an opportunity to involve Love, INC and the Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy in this project to promote literacy, as well as environmental and community literacy.
Thank you so much Drive-Thru Christmas on Merry Lane and the students from Woodbridge and Laurel who made this possible!
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November 30, 2025
Opening night of Merry Lane spotlighted litereacy!
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November 16, 2025
Check out what teens have been doing to spotlight their involvement, stemming from the school library, what we like to call, Teentober!
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October 19, 2025
Followup of the FIRST DAY at #AASL2025!
Our Girls Who Code made sure they were not forgotten in St. Louis #AASL2025
as well as
Raider Reads wanting you to discover your favorite read!
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September 17, 2025
Thank you.
Thank you for the patience you put into cosponsoring House Bill 119. Too often I am always writing individuals in powers asking, requesting, pleading, informing, etc. when it comes to saving the true role of the school and public librarian. Your actions have helped solidify the bigger picture of what literacy can mean, does mean, and I do believe can serve as a bridge of bipartisanship in times that try the very souls of our community.
Thank you.
| Bill Detail – Delaware General AssemblyThis Act establishes the following principles in regards to public library material: (1) Library material is provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all persons the library serves; (2) Library material should not be excluded, removed, or prohibited from a catalogue because of the origin, background, or views of a persons who created the material; (3) Material should not be …legis.delaware.gov |
Thank you again for also taking time to listen and consider the thoughts and voices of youth. In forming the Youth for Libraries group, students had the first line of input in traveling to leadership conferences, legislative day, supporting Festival of Words, serving on substance abuse concerns in youth mini conferences, and they are just getting started.
Thank you.
During Literacy month in September, I can think of no one else than our youth who can show communities the various types of literacies that exist, to bridge the divide that exists in so many areas of our community.
Students from various schools have stepped up to reinforce the values of literacy that mean so much, and impact so many areas. Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you in the future.
And again, thank you!
P.S. Below is a post from the miniconference the students attended in new Castle to voice opposition to substance abuse in Delaware!
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August 10, 2025
I cannot say enough of the time that students from Laurel, Sussex Central, and Woodbridge and Upward Bound gave, on a LONG Saturday, to give their time, patience, and open mindedness to so many younger youth outside of sphere of comfortableness.
It was astounding. All of the counties together helped define what Sportsmanship means when we all came together.
Students and youth can open doors and educate others about what can occur, and wehat does occur, stemming from the school library activating voices from ages 7 – 18, mixed with voices of those aged 19-70. Hubs, centers of activity, and community literacy all emanate from a school library and has changed through the years as the needs of many in our communities have changed as well.
Coach J, Carmina Taylor, Coach Joe, and the following students, thank you.
Adelita
Raul
Ania
Alexa
Breanna
Carla
Chelsea
Daniel
Daphney
Duncan
Edna
Hajra
Karime
Mariela
Melisa
Nex
Sandra
Yannis
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July 10, 2025
Artists and youth that plot and dream together, create together.
Involving the Georgetown Public Library just makes sense.
Inkline
STUDENTS SUBMIT ART HERE! https://forms.gle/3oqmZBgGYcDsHD857
INTEREST FORM: https://forms.gle/ercLnFMNj1UXGzQs5
Students and teachers, contact me with questions or ideas or anything at all!
duncanwinger@gmail.com
Instagram @duncanwinger
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June 18, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay,
There might not have been a better way to start off the day at our Teen prevention Day yesterday than your willingness to start your day with our group. Through technical issues that finally worked out, we appreciated your optimism and showing there is a path forward, for all who want to impact change.
Today I travel to support HB119 to support libraries of all caliber and I want to see more youth involved for sure along the way in promoting literacy.
Each of those students you were in front of are dynamic and have the ability to change their community in some way, which is why I am sharing this with you, they were so motivated from your visit, thank you. We have created a group to begin showing how literacy pervades our communities- https://harrybrake.com/delawareyouthlibrarians/
Again, your willingness to share the AM with them AM, show patience to hear their voices, and your presence as showing that moment was a vital part of the day, said everything.
We have been lucky enough to work with John Chrastka from EveryLibrary.org, in coordination with Catherine Wimberly (Legislative Chair) and of course our state librarian Annie Norman. We have a lot more to do, but we are fortunate to have had you be a staunch supporter of all things literacy.
Thank you!
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There was MUCH gleaned from yesterday’s event.
What I am proud of? Seeing our students go up to students from other schools and get to know them (out of their comfortable zone sometimes), not afraid to speak up and introduce themselves to all attending, as well as a willingness to offer insights into how to improve their communities. This is a HUGE feeling of gratitude to see out students willing to play a more valuable part of being a part of solutions to positivity.
Meeting Senator Lockman was a huge benefit and a highlight of so many parts of the day, and we appreciated her support of all our students – as this is a first step to showing youth how the can step forward to make a difference. More will be added from this day, to show what opportunities our youth discovered, so stay tuned for more about this day!
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June 17, 2025.
Our Woodbridge youth coalition is ready for Tuesday!
We now have a zoom meeting for those who unfortunately can not make it to our discussion with the Lieutenant Governor, Kyle Evans Gay at (approximately) 11:00am.
Register for the stream HERE
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June 12, 2025
Every month, leading up to July 4, 2026, students want to feature AT LEAST, one research journal, one podcast, and highlight events each month to build, show, and advocate for what has made libraries a backbone and part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Can they do it? I am pretty sure they can, they are a driven bunch 🙂
They are celebrating the attendance of students, and their own Ebony (A Woodbridge High School student) who attended the Mock Congressional Congress with so many other students from all over the state last Friday, preparing to celebrate the 250th Semiquincentennial, which will be on July 4, 2026. (Seems far off but there is so much to cover leading up to this!) It is an honor to be in Delaware, the first state, and be represented but these amazing students, celebrating the freedom of exercising their opinions and plans to better our communities. Our future is found in these youth. Literacy + Advocacy + Leadership is a winning combination.
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June 6, 2025
Our name has changed for our Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/youthforschoollibrariesde/
Today’s Library Town Meeting
was exceptional and the takeaway? Data story telling? Yes. Who best to carry this banner than our youth- they hold onto the resources that can launch school libraries into a new realm of advocacy.
Check out some of the slides from this event today:
https://guides.lib.de.us/ltm2025june
and more about Kate McDowell – and check her amazing work here- https://www.katemcdowell.com/about.html
What connections does your library see with digital data story telling opportunities involving your youth- We’d love your comments about this here!
Some to do’s that you need to be aware of as our youth build a library advocacy movement:
1. June 6 2025 Student Mock Continental Congress – How do school libraries have a place in the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026? Friday, the Mock Continental Congress is happening- It is exciting to see students from all over the state of DE to be a part of this and it is important for school libraries to find ways to capitalize on this historic aspect path for youth to ties litereacy, school libraries, and this upcoming celebration.
https://news.delaware.gov/2025/05/28/students-mock-continental-congress-coming-to-delaware/
2. May 19, 2025 Delegation Youth Conference alongside Senator Carper, Representative Blunt Rochester, Congresswoman McBride
This allowed our students, as well as students from all over the state to advance their views on literacy and what youth can do – tying school librarians together.
3. June 17th is Delaware Youth Prevention Day at Legislative Hall – and a chance for students to weigh in on ideas and suggestions to involve youth representatives from across the state (accompanied by their Adult Chaperones/Advisors) ; their mission is to advocate and inform our legislators about the remarkable and impactful substance abuse prevention and outreach efforts being conducted throughout the state. We are excited to be able to advocate how school libraries and youth can work together on this initiative.
4. Have you signed up for the Summer reading – it started June 1st! Do so now and be a part of highlight what new reads you are into, we want to hear your comments here to find out more!
https://guides.lib.de.us/summerreading
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April 25, 2025
Here is your guide for Independent Bookstore Day – April 26th – and reminder, you have until April 30th – so DO NOT LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
https://easternshoreindies.com/
AS Browseabout and Huxley & Hiro were and ARE HUGE supporters of the Festival of Words, we need you to get out there and show them the love as a result so we can have this event bring school, public and other librarians and librarian workers together every year for a variety of needs. Supporting Independent Bookstores goes a long way to supporting our DE Indie (Independent) Bookstore scene, so we need you. it is advocating for literacy and we need you!
Go here and check out the info for tomorrow’s Independent (Indie) Bookstore Day:
https://easternshoreindies.com/
AND I even saved a copy of the passport you can have – (these will be in the stores)
but check it out here:
Passport
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Hy2l2C37VdHSHUCr9TjmgiF46_BRYut/view?usp=sharing
If you need me to send it to you via email, IM me and I will 🙂
Questions further? Let me know, but we would LOVE to have you send us a pic to our email: festivalofwordsde@gmail.com
OR share with us a pic of your visits at these stores to our instagrams:
@delawareschoollibrarians
or
Festival of Words
and yup! We might just have some bling to share with you as a result 🙂
Get involved and we hope to see you out and about!
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April 23, 2025
We apologize for missing the Spring Book Sale at the Georgetown Public Library in this podcast. but you are in time for the BeachSide Festival mentioned and the Fall Book Sale!
Thank you Friends of the Georgetown Public Library
https://georgetown.lib.de.us/friends/
for being a sponsor of the Festival of Words 2025!
https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/215fde18b98732e1b8b7
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Part of the ART (WE LOVE that Festival of Words is also referred to as the Festival of ART) of Festival of Words is how versatile our WHS students are willing to be AND are. Our scheduled student podcaster was unable to take the 10:00 AM slot we had with the Bridgeville Kiwanis (A HUGE AND VALUABLE SPONSOR OF FESTIVAL OF WORDS) and Emerson willingly sat in as a interviewer, NOT seeing or knowing anything about the questions to be asked previous. She came in cold and left burning with success during this podcast. She was STELLAR along with Kiwanian Mr. Gibbs.
https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/0b49bad63f52b90e1779
She was able to conduct a VERY interesting look into how the Bridgeville Kiwanis, as well as Kiwanis all over the U.S. (and outside of the U.S.) impact our communities.
We loved the fact that we discovered how the Bridgeville Kiwanis impacted not only our local community, but supported Hawaii, as well as received a top award (in the top ten out of over 600 organizations internationally!)
These experiences present another side of what Festival of Words is, a chance to involve community sponsors with students, community members, organizations, authors, educators, and artists of all walks of life.
We love how Emerson was able to glean so much information in such a short amount of time, and KUDOS to Mr. Gibbs from Bridgeville Kiwanis for shedding so much light about how Kiwanis is a MAJOR contributor to the success of our community, and bringing so many motivating individuals to Festival of Words.
Thank you all around!~
Did you check out the Festival of Words podcasts page? So many more to add, so keep checking back!
https://sites.google.com/view/festivalofwords2025?usp=sharing
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Ties to Woodbridge are always something we want to know about. We were lucky enough to find these ties with the sponsorship of Festival of Words with the Parker Group.
There is SO much to followup on from Festival of Words 2025. Make sure you hover over the ABOUT section of the FOW website and access the podcasts that occurred from the Parker Group group for our state. We are humbled and grateful for their sponsorship to allow the Festival of Words 2025 to occur:
With ties to Woodbridge and libraries made clear in this podcast, we are grateful for the Parker Group’s sponsorship for Festival of Words and a major player in our community.
The Parker Group, a real estate group founded in 2016 by Dustin and Rachel Parker, was created with one goal in mind- to serve the community we love and to deliver exceptional service to an underserved market. Since that time, we have grown from a small team to a full service real estate brokerage, offering a team approach that has revolutionized the client experience. With locations across Delmarva, The Parker Group is reimagining real estate by bringing a locally-focused, tech-enabled approach to every transaction. With a passion for exceptional service and innovative marketing, we’re committed to transforming the real estate landscape and building stronger, more connected communities.
We had a chance to sit down with Ms. Rachel Parker with WHS student Daniel – and there is SO MUCH they do to impact the Delaware community. Since 2015 – we enjoyed this podcast – Check it out here!
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Festival of Words, WOW! It was possible thanks to EACH of YOU- keep in touch here periodically for many connections that came out of this amazing event.
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HUGE supporter of all things Festival of Words. They have donated books, provided access to authors, and more. We revisit the interaction we had with Ms. Nina Moreno and our WHS ELL/ ESL/ Spanish classes – one of many opportunities we were able to have thanks to the LatinxKidlit Festival.
This past September and October with the Kidlit Festival was AMAZING. Check it out here:
https://latinxkidlitbookfestival.org/
but also check out Ms. Nina Moreno and this amazing experience we had at WHS here:
Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ydZe3YtEPSQTUNxrhRGgfbjdGGJuV4Ng/view?usp=sharing
Link to podcast:
https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/1d252ef053f2a93a9409
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Stay tuned for ALOT of followup from the Festival of Words 2025.
We wanted to remind you to stay tuned to attending author / publisher Chris Kennedy’s blog and his latest releases found here (click on the link!).
PAVEing a Blog 