When you picture a school librarian, you might imagine quiet halls, rows of books, and the occasional “shh!”

But for Angela Husband, a Cleveland, OH-area school librarian, the role is so much more. She’s a mentor, a guide, and a connector – helping students discover stories, explore new worlds, and embrace reading in ways both traditional and digital.

As we celebrate National School Library Month, let’s also celebrate librarians like Husband, who show up every day to make a difference in students’ and educators’ lives.

A journey sparked by stories

Husband’s love of reading began at home, nurtured by her father, a guidance counselor in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Weekend trips to the library and evenings spent immersed in books instilled in her a curiosity that would shape her future.

In college, a children’s literature course at Central State University further fueled that passion. Tasked with annotating more than 500 children’s books, she found herself captivated by the art, storytelling, and imagination behind each page. “Looking around the school library, I thought, I want this job. It was peaceful, surrounded by books. Anything you want to learn about was right there,” says Husband.

Following her undergraduate degree in elementary education, Husband pursued a master’s in library and information science at Kent State University and launched a career that would span nearly 20 years.

Wearing many hats

Husband’s role is multifaceted. She supports teachers with curriculum planning, curates collections that match student interests, manages library operations, and organizes programs ranging from book clubs to cooking classes. She describes the library as the hub of the school: a safe space where students can explore, learn, and even find comfort during challenging moments.

“People may assume it’s just shelving books, but it’s so much more than that,” she says. “We assist teachers with curriculum and planning, help students find materials they want to read so they can become lifelong readers, and support literacy across the curriculum. It’s also about building connections with students and staff.”

Digital reading: Meeting students where they are

In today’s digital age, Husband has found new ways to connect students with stories, most notably through the Sora digital library platform. Students can access ebooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere, on devices they already use. They can listen, read along, adjust text sizes, and bookmark their progress, making reading accessible and customizable for all skill levels.

“Students get really excited earning badges for completing reading goals. It makes reading fun,” she shares. “For some students, especially those who struggle, the digital platform opens up a new world. They enjoy ‘turning the pages’ with their fingers, seeing the pictures, and using features like audiobooks or Read to Me, which helps pull them in and makes them feel like they can do it.”

Husband also uses reading challenges and visual tracking boards to encourage friendly competition and recognition, helping students celebrate their achievements without relying on external rewards.

Creating lifelong connections

Beyond books and screens, Husband’s greatest reward is the relationships she forms. Former students visit her years after graduation, sharing career updates and stories of how reading shaped their lives. One adult still carries a book Husband gifted her, signed and treasured decades later.

“You don’t always realize the impact you’re making,” Husband reflects. “Those moments remind me why I do this work every day.”

She extends this philosophy to teachers as well, encouraging them to explore library collections and model reading in the classroom, helping create a culture of literacy that reaches beyond the library walls.

Redefining reading for a new generation

Husband champions all forms of reading, from traditional texts to graphic novels and illustrated stories. While some might underestimate these formats, she sees them as crucial engagement tools. “It’s still a story, it’s just presented differently,” she says. “And it can actually be more challenging than people think, because students have to connect the images and text. It’s all part of helping them grow as readers.”

Through platforms like Sora and the physical library alike, Husband ensures students have access to stories at their fingertips, empowering them to read on their own terms and at their own pace.

The heart of the school

For Angela Husband, the library is more than a room with books—it’s the heart of the school, a space for exploration and connection. Whether guiding a student to their next favorite book, helping them navigate a digital platform, or simply being a safe presence in their day, she embodies the role of a modern librarian: educator, mentor, and advocate.

Her story reminds us that libraries and the people who bring them to life are essential in shaping a lifelong love of reading, one student at a time.