My Library Needs the Truth… in Spanish!

Incorporating Spanish language books into your school library collection isn’t just about providing enjoyable reading material; it’s about creating an environment that values diversity, promotes language development, and prepares students for a global world. Whether you're supporting native Spanish speakers, helping English speakers learn a new language, or simply promoting a more inclusive and culturally aware environment, Spanish language books play a crucial role in enriching the educational experience for all students. With over 460 million native speakers globally, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world.   

Our school district has been offering Spanish classes since it was built and started a formal dual-language program eight years ago.  Our district's most recent strategic plan was adopted in March 2023 and included a renewed focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The two statements from our plan that most closely matched the intended goal of this grant were 1) Increase student sense of belonging in the classroom, and 2) Fostering an environment for optimal achievement for all students.    

This grant allowed us to double the number of non-fiction Spanish language books we had in our collection. The students who benefited most from the addition of these nonfiction books in Spanish were not only the Hispanic students, but all of the students in the dual language program in our school. Whether the student is a native Spanish speaker or just learning Spanish, having quality non-fiction books on a variety of high-interest topics is a tremendous benefit.  

When choosing which books to purchase, I first looked at which non-fiction topics are popular in our English language books.  I tried to find those in Spanish. Surveying the students to see what they wanted was accomplished through a Google Survey. I also used Titlewave to search for any newly published non-fiction books of high interest.   

By making Spanish books accessible in your school library, you are not just offering a resource—you are offering a bridge to greater understanding, connection, and success for students in a diverse world. 

This week’s blog post was written by Andrea Perrin, LRC Director, Woodland Middle School.  

This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.