Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians

01/07/2026

It is with profound sadness that PARSL’s Core Team announces the sudden passing of Corinne Brady, a founding member of PARSL, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Corinne was an integral and vital part of PARSL’s Core Team. Corinne viewed her efforts with PARSL as a natural extension of her management of the John B. Kelly School Library Volunteers; Corinne championed social justice, and it only made sense to her that students at Kelly should not just have a beautiful library but also a certified teacher librarian to bring the library to life and maintain it.

She focused on building and sustaining PARSL’s community allies, work which came naturally to her as she fostered long-lasting relationships wherever she went. She attended countless community events on PARSL’s behalf and strengthened PARSL’s ties with organizations and individuals throughout Philadelphia. She brought a special “human touch” to PARSL’s advocacy work which will not be replicated.

Corinne had the rare ability to make friends wherever she went and also hold on to those friendships. Her genuine concern for the well-being of others, her ability to see the best in all people, and her sense of humor made her a joy to be around. She will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her.

A service will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 2 p.m. at:

Abington Friends Meeting
520 Meetinghouse Rd.
Jenkintown, PA 19046

For those wanting to attend the service virtually, a Zoom link has been provided here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84785954385?pwd=fdXHnG80vOKutRrg7K5XxecgElAZLy.1

Meeting ID: 847 8595 4385
Passcode: 5Q1PPu

01/07/2026

We are so thankful to the courageous Girl Scouts from Troop 9007 who testified at last months school board meeting to restore school librarians to every school in the School District of Philadelphia!

As part of their Silver Award project focused on early literacy, these courageous Girl Scouts from Troop 9007 spoke at their school board last month to advocate for more libraries and librarians in Philadelphia public schools. Way to go Alex, Annalise, and Rayne! 👏

12/04/2025

🎉 PARSL is deeply appreciative of all of hard work on getting IMLS grants restored. While we don't know exactly what this means for our IMLS grant, we are hopeful and will be keeping you up to date as we learn more.

11/13/2025

Today we celebrate another PA school district taking steps to restore school libraries. 👏🏾👏🏿👏🏼 Districts don't always take the same path but the results of fully funding school libraries are clear: increasing student academic achievement, literacy, critical thinking, and more. Join our efforts to accomplish this feat and ensure . Click the link in our bio to get involved!

11/11/2025

Thank you to the Girl Scouts who attended the Nov. 6 school board meeting to testify in support of restoring school librarians to Philadelphia schools! We love when students advocate for themselves and their peers.

Are you ready to add your voices to theirs by testifying at an upcoming school board meeting on November 20 or December 4, 2025?

Learn more about giving public testimony or submitting written testimony at the link in our bio!

10/30/2025

Join and other PARSL supporters at the Philadelphia School Board Public Hearings on November 13th to advocate for the return of school librarians.

We’ll be distributing signs and children’s books to hold up as supporters testify to get the boards’ attention.

RSVP at the 🔗 in our bio!

10/29/2025

Thanks to for inviting us to share about the important role school librarians play in student success. Register via the link below!

Join Caitlin Gerrity and Lauren Popp from the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians to learn:

-What’s really happening with school libraries in Philly
-How certified teacher librarians boost student reading and achievement
-What it will take from policy to community action to bring librarians back to every school

If you believe every child deserves a fair shot at reading success, this conversation is for you!

Friday, November 7, 2025 1:00–2:00 PM

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KUuysgfCSD-vIDeVYsN3-Q #/registration

10/23/2025

Calling all school library advocates, volunteers, parents and educators! We are looking to fill the room at next month’s School Board Public Hearings - November 6th and 13th at 4:00pm. Will you RSVP? Supporters will be given fans to hold as speakers testify on behalf of school librarian positions returning to !

We are also looking for more people to testify - adults and students. You can find out how to register at the link!

https://restorephillylibrarians.eventbrite.com/

10/21/2025

Talented poet and children’s book author Charles R Smith Jr. reminds us what books and reading can do. Thank you, Charles, for your support of school librarians and all kids being able to access stories. Your support of means the world to us!

Do you want to make your voice heard on behalf of school librarians? Consider joining us at the Nov 6 & Nov 13 Philadelphia School Board public hearings - 440 N Broad Street. 🗣️

10/18/2025

The Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians is on a mission to restore certified school librarians to a district of 117,000+ students (we currently have 2 full-time!) or as says "ALL the library joy for Philadelphia!" We've had an amazing few days at and are re-energized to continue this important work. Check the link in our bio for ways to get involved!

08/19/2025

When Philly kids return to schools next week, the large majority will be without a teacher with dedicated curriculum to help them navigate a complex online environment by empowering them with digital literacy skills (like AI and misinformation!) Teachers will be without an instructional partner to co-teach information literacy (research!) skills. And if there is a library with books, they haven't been updated in 10+ years to the latest and most exciting books kids want to read (unless they are in the minority of schools with a volunteer-run program.) Our kids deserve better! Please consider joining us this fall at one of our volunteer opportunities to keep working towards . Click the link in our bio for opportunities to get involved! Thank you to our friends at for these awesome advocacy posters.

07/10/2025

“School librarians are not optional they are essential to the academic, emotional, and social development of students. As certified educators, they are curators of knowledge and champions of literacy who empower students to think critically, read widely, and navigate information with confidence. They nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning while advocating for diversity and inclusion.”
—Melissa Prince-Barry

New Jersey should pass legislation that would require every public school to employ at least one certified school library media specialist.