Lulu's National School Library Tour Makes the Tallahassee Democrat

Exclusive from the Tallahassee Democrat

FSU professor on tour across the nation promoting the importance of libraries

By Christopher Kelley

Nancy "Lulu" Everhart, an associate professor at Florida State University, has decided to take an almost yearlong tour of some of the nation’s best libraries in an attempt to promote their impor tance.

As the new president of the American Association of School Librarians, her desire is to show the public what good, successful libraries look like.

“If the general public gets to see what outstand ing school libraries look like, they will want them for their own children and all children,” Everhart said. “I hope that this will ultimately encour age support by legislators by funding school librar ies and school librarian positions.”

Everhart promotes that successful libraries depend on qualified, professional staffing, broad band Internet access, and up-to-date technology.

“It all starts with the person,” Everhart said. “(Qualified librarians should) integrate the school library program in all areas of the school curriculum and support student learning.”

Everhart will be on the road for roughly nine months, visiting 35 successful school libraries throughout the country. She plans to leave early in September.

Marcia Mardis, an assistant professor at FSU and coworker of Everhart’s for the last two years, shares Ever hart’s passion.

“This is a time where school libraries are on the chopping block for school budget situations,”Mardis said. “(Nancy’s) the first AASL president to do something like this — she really wants to find out the nuts and bolts of what they’re dealing with, so we can develop a professional strategy.” Everhart still needs donations to help fund her trip, and would be glad to sport logos of businesses that support her cause.

“Libraries are great equalizers,” Everhart said. “Every child — in fact, every citizen — can use (them) in our country. Libraries are democracy itself.”

If you want to donate or learn more, visit out standingschoollibraries.org

As the new president of the American Association of School Librarians, her desire is to show the public w hat good, successful libraries look like.