Cornelius Elementary's Roslyn West wins 2025 Library Program of the Year award

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) celebrated a significant achievement in library services during its recent school board meeting, honoring Roslyn West from Cornelius Elementary as the winner of the 2025 Library Program of the Year. Cheryl Hensley, a long-time librarian, praised West for her vision of the library as the heart of the school, emphasizing its role in fostering literacy, creativity, and community engagement.

West's award-winning program includes initiatives for Hispanic Heritage Month and a legacy writers program that encourages students to publish their work. Hensley highlighted the importance of adapting library services to meet the evolving needs of students, stating, "A good library program can constantly change to meet the needs of all its patrons."

However, the meeting also brought to light the challenges facing HISD libraries. Retired librarian Debbie Hall expressed concern over the decline in library services, noting that when she began her career, every school had a librarian—a stark contrast to the current situation. Hall shared a personal story illustrating the transformative power of libraries, underscoring the need for equitable access to library resources across the district.

Superintendent House's strategic plan, initiated in 2022, aimed to ensure that every HISD school would have a library and a librarian. Yet, the recent takeover has exacerbated existing inequities, leaving many schools without essential library services. The discussions at the meeting highlighted both the celebration of achievements in library programming and the urgent need for systemic change to restore equitable access to libraries for all HISD students.