While the process of advocacy can be exhausting, I am grateful that education specialists like Yohuru Williams still takes a stand for the importance of school librarians in his article "Sense and Sensibility: Why Librarians Remain Essential to Our Schools." While I understand the importance of what I do on the job each and every day, in the midst of it all I am often unable to articulate exactly why.

Williams graciously reminds that "[l]ibrarians remain important conduits for student support in ways that many might be surprised to learn. contrary to popular perception, librarians do more than curate collections of dusty books; they teach critical research skill and often serve as the first destination for young people on the road to quality research." Indeed, I am the tireless reminder that Advanced Search feature exist, that searches can be modified, that sometimes the best result is not on the first page, that databases exist, that (gasp!) books exist, online and otherwise. I know how to summarize, cite, and avoid plagiarism. I answer questions across the board in all disciplines, not because I know the answers, but can find them. As a former school teacher and current professor, Williams notes, "Although not always regarded as 'teaching' in the conventional sense, the ways in which librarians assist students may in fact be one of the most authentic forms of instruction." Thank you. Thank you. And thank you.

While I work in a district where I feel valued by much of my administration and some of my staff, and many of my students, I am constantly aware that educational systems are consistently having to provide more services with less funding. I am also aware that in a world of the core and standardized testing, libraries look like an easy place to cut staff. It behooves us to remember that "a well-documented pool of research indicating the impact of librarians on student achievement exists." We need to be aware of the research. When it would be easier to allow the constant demands of our position to cause us to remain uninvolved in the school world at large, we must remain present. We must find the time to attend meetings to join committees, to be a voice that is heard and hopefully respected. We must not only be essential to our students but remind others that we are.