Latin School of Chicago

Lower School Librarian Leslie Rumney Educating strong writers is inextricably tied to developing a love of reading in students. Again and again, English teachers speak about the reading assignments that support their writing program, and accomplished student writers relate their early experiences with books and their passion for reading. Alongside the curricular and programmatic initiatives to build reading skills, Latin's librarians work cooperatively with faculty across divisions to make books and literature central to each child's Latin experience. "My goal is to share a wealth of literary genres with children and to help them develop an appreciation for books," says Leslie Rumney, who has been the lower school librarian for 33 years and has helped to grow the library collection to some 17,000 books. "This is a place where children can discover the books they like for themselves, what they enjoy reading, and eventually what they would enjoy writing as well." Starting in junior kindergarten, students are invited to feel that the library is a home when they come in for story readings. As they get older, students are encouraged to explore, choose – Lower School Librarian Leslie Rumney books and learn about research resources. Students participate in the Illinois State Book sees the success of the program in the Awards program, which gives them an opportunity to many probing questions students ask evaluate what they like and read critically. They also are and lively discussions the visitors and exposed to professional writers through author visits, books inspire. something that Rumney has made an important In fourth grade, students are component of the library program since starting the assigned to write to an author whose annual Lower School Authors Day nearly 20 years ago. work they enjoy. "I encourage children to really think Hearing about books about what they want to say in the letter. They might from the people who ask what the author's favorite book is or what the author have written them is an liked to read when he or she was young." The exercise is invaluable experience, another way to get students to think about what they Rumney explains. "Not are reading. Often writers will send personal responses only do they learn about or even books which cause great excitement when they the writing process, they are shared in the library. also learn the story behind the written story." She "This is a place where children can discover the books they like for themselves." 30 Latin Magazine

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