To the Editor:
Jessica Gigot makes a compelling case for protecting school libraries and the librarians who bring them to life. At a time when budgets are tight, library services should not be treated as expendable.
The timeliness of Gigot’s essay is especially striking in the wake of Dolly Parton’s death. Parton understood the power of introducing children to books early. Through her Imagination Library, more than 300 million books have been mailed directly to young children, from birth to age 5, opening the door to the mind-expanding world of reading long before they enter a classroom.
But that journey cannot end at kindergarten. School libraries and skilled librarians keep that door open, helping children discover books, develop curiosity and become thoughtful, discerning readers.
For many students, especially those without abundant books at home, the school library may be their most important connection to literature.
When districts face difficult budget decisions, school libraries must be prioritized — not put on the chopping block. We invest enormous effort in teaching children how to read. We should invest just as seriously in giving them reasons to keep reading.
Dolly Parton’s example reminds us: putting a book in a child’s hands is one of the simplest and most powerful investments we can make in the future.
—Micki Jackson, Bellingham; Aug. 28, 2026