May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here at JLG, we know that reading is a great technique to practice mindfulness, relaxation, and empathy—AND it’s even been scientifically proven to improve our mental health! The next time you need an excuse to stock your shelves with a new title, just remember, that book could help positively impact a reader’s thoughts, mood, or behavior—we love the power of books!

To honor literature that is representative of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we chatted with Digital Artist, Janice Chiang about her recent project, Tokyo Rose: Zero Hour.

During our interview, Janice compares herself to the main character in the story, Iva, saying, "Just like Iva, I too have felt divided in half. When I started to search for my identity in this country, I realized I was in a position of strength—not weakness—to have two perspectives in life."

Read on to learn more about Janice Chiang and the different AAPI Month activities that you can get involved in! 

School libraries enrich the lives of students, so it’s very important that we continue to advocate for their services! If you’re wondering, “How do school libraries benefit student development?,” then this blog is for you! 

School libraries are essential to learners; they provide the foundation to student learning and help students achieve their goals. In order to combat the decrease in school libraries, we must advocate for their existence and funding and demonstrate how eliminating them negatively impacts our schools, students, and communities.  

 A modern school librarian’s day is filled with more than you can imagine—you might be surprised to hear about what is included in their jam-packed schedule! 

To honor the anniversary of Selma’s Bloody Sunday, a nonviolent march during the Civil Rights Movement, we sat down and spoke with JLG author, Andrew Aydin. We first met Aydin at ALA in 2022; he was gregarious, genuine, and found a way to connect with each attendee on a personal and professional level. He spoke openly and humbly, sharing his experiences with Congressman John Lewis, a champion for human rights and one of the “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.