National School Librarian Day, April 4, 2026.
April is National School Library Month, and today (April 4) is School Librarian Appreciation Day! We want to take a moment to celebrate Mrs. Bodner who works tirelessly to keep our library running smoothly.
Q: How long have you been a school librarian at Madison?
A: I have been the school librarian at Madison for 8 years.
Q: What made you want to become a school librarian?
A: It combines two things I love: working with children and books!
Q: What does a typical day look like in the library?
A: Lots of reading… just kidding! I do read aloud a lot to my younger students, but there is so much more I do in a typical day. When I'm not teaching elementary classes, I'm researching books and materials to help teachers, fixing damaged library books, pulling books for teachers, helping students, and much more! I like to say I'm a jack of all trades.
Q: What is your favorite part of working with students?
A: I love it when a child is excited to find a book or to come to the library. When a student borrows a book, brings it back, and can't wait to tell me about it, those connections to stories fill my librarian heart with joy.
Q: Why do you think school libraries are important?
A: School libraries and librarians are magical in many ways. Libraries can take students to places they have never been, connect them to stories that build character, and help them learn new things they never knew existed.
School librarians are also certified professionals. I have a NYS certification and a Master’s degree in Library Science. I am really good at finding things—whether it's research for a class or a book you remember only by its blue cover and a dog character—I can find it.
Q: Do you have any activities or programs coming up in the library?
A: We just finished our Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) month, and I announced at the PARP celebration that we have an author visiting Madison on May 28! Her name is Amy Guglielmo. We read one of her books, How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Hug Machine, during our celebration. I met her in 2023 at the NYLA (New York Library Association) conference. In addition to talking about the inspiration behind her writing, she will lead a hands-on art activity for students.
Q: What would you like the community to know about the school library?
A: It’s not a stereotypical library—I do love a good cardigan and some quiet time, but I want the library to be a place for both fun and learning. I’ll admit that if you catch me reading a story out loud—especially my favorite, There’s a Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone—you’ll hear me doing my best impression of Grover, and I will be loud, just like he is!