Newaygo Librarian Takes to Roof — The Reason May Surprise You

The school librarian issued a challenge to the students, and when they accepted it, she ended up camping on the school's roof.

Are Michigan Libraries Still Vital?

It has been a long time since I was in public school and college libraries, so I have not been to one in over 30 years. With books now available online and the government increasingly involved in restricting library access to certain titles, I wonder if the public still thinks libraries are vital to their communities.

I am not discounting the knowledge one can gain in a library. I have always said, if you can read, you can do anything. Just over 70% of Michiganders have a positive view of their local public libraries and their value to their community. Over half of Michigan households use library programs and services at least a few times a year. I find this to be great news for Michigan learning.

Read More: Sci-Fi Turns Real: Grand Rapids Man Creates Robot

Why a Newaygo Librarian Ended Up on the Roof

One of the school librarian's responsibilities is to ensure all books are returned before the school year ends so they are ready for next year's students to use. Getting elementary kids to remember to return a book is a task not as easy as it sounds; a fun incentive often surprises with great results.

According to FOX 17, the Newaygo Elementary School librarian made a deal with the students: if they returned most of the library books, they could vote on whether she would dye her hair or sleep on the school roof.

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As of two weeks ago, roughly 260 books were checked out. The librarian said that if the students could reduce the number of books to 42, she would sleep in a tent on the roof. The students lowered the number to 32, so she spent a night on the school roof. This was a great idea, and it worked. The librarian is already thinking about next year's challenge.

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