Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Publication Title

School Library Research

Volume

29

Pages

1-39

Abstract

This exploratory survey distributed to Texas school librarians was designed to gain insight into the significance of diverse representation in school libraries based on school librarians’ understandings and perceptions. Rudine Sims Bishop’s metaphor of books as “mirrors and windows” was a foundation for this study. Foundational and critical literature related to this metaphor and diverse representation as well as an interpretivist approach were used to guide the methods and analysis. Conclusions from this study support a narrative of school libraries related to diverse representation through four themes: librarians center students in practices and decision-making; librarians believe in the power of books; they are deliberate about the message they are sending students, and they know libraries can continue to improve in service to communities. It is recommended that these librarians’ voices be considered when critically examining policies and developing equitable and just practices within libraries that explicitly show that libraries seek to affirm, uplift, and include the identity and experiences of all students.

Rights

Included with kind permission from the author.

© 2026 Kim R. Krutka.

Article also may be accessed:               

https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2026-10/krutka.pdf or at School Library Research (SLR) Volume 29 https://www.ala.org/aasl/pubs/slr/vol29

Original Publication Citation

Krutka, K. R. (2026). “So they know the library is a space for them”: School Librarians’ Understandings and Perspectives on the Significance of Diverse Representation in Book Collections. School Library Research 29. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2026-10/krutka.pdf

ORCID

0009-0009-4133-4879 (Krutka)

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