Jennifer Brown was a recipient of the Angela Thacker Memorial Award, presented at Canadian School Libraries’ Treasure Mountain Canada Symposium on January 31, 2025. The award citation reads:
To honour Jenn’s expertise and contributions to the field of school libraries, school library learning commons, and teacher-librarianship, noted and applauded in her school, district, province and country. Jenn excels as a teacher-librarian, conference presenter, district president of Peel Elementary Teacher-Librarian Association, former president of the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA), writer for The Teaching Librarian and Open Shelf Magazines, and presenter for Teacher-Librarian Additional Qualification Courses York University.
Here we share Jenn’s award acceptance speech.
I am deeply honoured to receive the Angela Thacker Memorial Award. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of all who believe in the power of school libraries. Thank you to my friends and colleagues, Beth and Jonelle, who nominated me for this recognition. It was very unexpected but I am profoundly grateful. Your belief in my work and your support mean the world to me. Each of you continue to inspire others, myself included, through your daily practice. Recognition from colleagues who embody the best of our educational practice is very humbling. Thank you to the entire Canadian School Libraries team, who continue to promote, inspire, celebrate and support the crucial work of school library professionals across Canada.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the administrators who recognize the importance of a thriving school library learning commons. My current principal and dear friend, Lesley Kennedy, is here tonight to celebrate with us. Your support and vision have been essential in making our school library learning commons a reality. Thank you for believing in the power of these spaces, for your ongoing commitment to our students’ success and valuing the importance of our partnership. Though not here with us this evening, I also want to recognize two of my former principals;
Tim Pedersen, who helped me truly establish my core beliefs about the role of the teacher-librarian and fulfill my dream of building a brand new school library learning commons.
Pat Lewis, who almost 15 years ago saw something in me that I had yet to see in myself, and offered me my first TL role.
These three administrators all demonstrate a commitment to fostering a love of learning, creating brave pedagogical spaces and providing invaluable resources to our students. Thank you for all that you do.
I, of course, want to express my deepest gratitude to my husband, Mike, who is here this evening and our four wonderful children. Thank you for believing in the importance of the work I do. Thank you for encouraging me to take on the many opportunities that are available as part of contributing to the incredible school library community in Ontario and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who supports teacher-librarians and school library professionals. Your voices across all sectors of our communities reminds us that we are not alone in our belief that every student deserves access to a thriving, fully-funded, fully-staffed school library learning commons. As we look to the future, we know it is crucial that we all continue to advocate for school library funding and support. We know our school libraries are the heart of our educational communities, and they need our unwavering support to thrive. By championing the importance of school libraries, we ensure that these vital resources remain and become available for generations to come.
To all the teacher-librarians and school library professionals:
You are the champions of curiosity and the guardians of knowledge. Your passion and dedication light the way for our students, guiding them on their journey of discovery and learning. Never underestimate the impact you have on young minds and hearts. You are not just educators; you are mentors, role models, and caregivers. Keep inspiring, keep innovating, and keep believing in the power of public education.
And finally, we must take a stand for human rights and fight together against book bans, all forms of racism and oppression, white supremacy, ableism, gender-based hate and anti-Two Spirit LGBTQIA+ rhetoric. Just last weekend, I watched an interview about “The Librarians”, a documentary currently at the Sundance Film Festival in the US. One of the subjects of the film, a librarian herself, shared these sentiments (I am paraphrasing) Book bans are proxies to telling individual students and families that, like the books being attacked, they also don’t belong in their own school, library, community, or even society. It is a privilege as a school library professional to witness that precious moment when a child finds a book on our shelves that reflects their identity, perhaps, for the first time, or perhaps that part of themself they are not yet ready to share with anyone else. As school library professionals, we know it is our duty to create inclusive and welcoming environments where every student feels valued and respected. Let us be the voices that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and communities as so many others are actively silencing this important and essential work. Fighting for the future of school libraries is not merely self-preservation of our jobs but an act of political resistance that reminds all those who hold power, that the entire library community will always protect the rights of children to access literacy, learning, wellness and sanctuary.
Jennifer Brown is an elementary teacher in the Peel District School Board in Caledon, Ontario. In her current position she is privileged to be in the combined role of teacher librarian and guidance educator at an established K to 8 school in rural Caledon. Since beginning her teaching career in the late 1990s, Jennifer has been committed to social justice & equity in education. Jenn strives to create a learning environment based on student voice, trust and believing in children to guide their learning. As a Librarianship, ESL, Special Education, and Guidance and Career Education specialist, she actively engages in the ongoing study & implementation of innovative pedagogical practices through the school library learning commons to support & mentor fellow educators & foster student success throughout the entire learning community. Jenn has served as the Ontario School Library Association president, and as a contributor to Canadian School Library publications, OSLA’s The Teaching Librarian Magazine and OLA’s online magazine, Open Shelf. Jenn has extensive experience presenting at various library conferences and workshops throughout Ontario and Quebec, including ETFO Summer Academy, guest speaking at York University Librarianship AQs and much more.