Mary Russo

2 months ago | slj.com | Mary Russo |Laura Silver |Kara Yorio |Catherine Masrour

The public good is under attack. Whether in public health, public schools, or public libraries, those who work to support the public good are on the defensive. As we work to defend libraries, we must remember that they are not alone. As sociologist Eric Klinenberg points out, libraries are part of our social infrastructure. It therefore follows that defending libraries can be part of defending our social infrastructure, which also includes parks, schools, and more.

Oct 24, 2024 | slj.com | Mary Russo |Kara Yorio |Catherine Masrour

Cyclo-biblio—a library-to-library bike tour designed by and for librarians—first came on my radar 10 years ago when I was working at a safe streets organization, charting connections between bikes and books for a presentation at the National Bike Summit. I’m now a school librarian, and I joined the tour this year to expand my horizons and library learning while flexing my calf muscles and rusty French language skills.

Aug 20, 2024 | slj.com | Mary Russo |Laura Silver |Kara Yorio

Catherine Masrour and Jonathan Feiler (center, left and right) with students  Our library at Smithtown (NY) High School West, on the north shore of Long Island, serves around 1,200 students. This year, our district decided to hire teacher assistants (TAs) to help in the library. After receiving few applications from librarians, we expanded to include TAs with other backgrounds. I reasoned that the high school library could benefit from someone with STEM or maybe Spanish language expertise.

Aug 13, 2024 | slj.com | Cicely Lewis |Mary Russo |Laura Silver |Kara Yorio

If you missed Season 3, Episode 7 of Abbott Elementary, watch it right now and come back. Abbott has a school librarian. Let’s stop and dance right here!What a heartwarming story. Second-grade teacher Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) pilots a program to bring in a school librarian, Rosalyn Inez (Cree Summer). She’s wildly popular with kids, and the program is succeeding.

Jul 26, 2024 | slj.com | Mary Russo |Laura Silver |Kara Yorio |Catherine Masrour

Ashley Grillo's library greenhouse. Photos courtesy of Ashley Grillo Ashley Grillo was in her third year as a librarian at Spackenkill (NY) High School and looking for a way to make her mark on the school and establish herself in her career. “I was really looking to reach out and figure out, ‘How can I be the best librarian and solidify my career?’” she says.