Just Like Sherlock Holmes!

Compelling questions guide us

As we inquire about our world,

They hook us in and set the path

So learning is unfurled.

And when those questions come,

The librarian is the key

For making sure the answers

Are found authentically.

From printed reference books

To digital resource guides,

The librarian deftly shows us

Where every fact resides.

So, ask a lot of questions,

Use the library as your base,

And just like Sherlock Holmes
You’ll solve every research case!

From Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand

What Treasures Lie Beneath?

I discovered ancient treasure 
Inside our book drop just last week: 
Books, a pen, some papers, 
And something red that must have leaked! 


I never thought to look – 
Wasn’t part of my degree! – 
But, sure enough, deep within, 
Were books assigned a fee. 


Now my “lost book” list 
Is much smaller than before, 
And now I know to look 
Underneath that massive drawer!


Read more poems about school libraries in Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand

Fix My Book!

My doggie chewed the cover,
But Mom said not to tell.
I also spilled some juice
And wrote in it, as well.

So, here you go, please fix it,
‘Cause I’d really like to see
If the girl that was so funny
Shows up in chapter three!

From Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand

"Library" My School

Lots of folks will style their ride

Or “Pinterest” their house,

They’ll even look to Facebook

For ways to change their spouse.

But a school need look no further

Than a place within its walls,

To bolster school-wide culture

For those who walk its halls.

The Library Media Center

Can be the model for all schools

Of how to innovate

And break tradition rules.

What happens in the library

Can replicate school-wide,

From up-to-date tech tools

To a facilitator guide.

Inquiry-based instruction

That gives students lots of choice

And multiple ways of sharing

So that all can have a voice.

Print and digital resources

For project-based research

And a teacher guiding students

As they collaborate and search.

Small groups, large groups,

And time for working alone,

Makerspace and art supplies

And a creativity zone.

Of course the media center

Will be the main learning hub --

Research, reading, meeting,

Staff and student led book club.

And the information specialist

Will manage the library center

And guide the teaching staff

As a techno-savvy mentor.

So, “library” your school

And make learning come alive,

Because in great media centers

The students always thrive.

From Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand

What is Library?

Library’s not a class --

Rotating students all en masse,

Giving planning time for schools

Due to some old fashioned rules.

Must Be Nice!

I provide the teachers’ planning time,

I sub when there’s a need,

I cover recess duty –

Always working at top speed.

So when another teacher,

Or a parent or a kid,

Says, “Must be nice to read all day!”

I really flip my lid.

Book Donations?

“Can you take these books?”

A teacher asked of me.

“They’re old and worn and dirty;

Here you go, they’re free!”

Part-time School Librarian

by Kathy Mansfield

Part-time school librarian

Means part-time tech support,

Part-time partner teaching

And large lost book report.

I'm Batgirl!

by Kathy Mansfield

In my mind I'm Batgirl,
Fighting evil ways;
A cape and mask by night--
A librarian by day.

Just Read!

by Kathy Mansfield

Why not read a book
(And talk about it, too),
And eliminate the need
For "read-and-then-go-do." 

"Read, and then go write."
"Read, then take a quiz."
"Read, and make a diorama."
. . . Let's just read! Gee whiz.

From Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand