Building Belonging in the Library

Guest: Rachael Welsh, Librarian, Pearland ISD

Rachael Welsh, a school librarian at Pearland ISD, shares her winding path from wanting to be a veterinarian to finding her true calling among the stacks. She talks candidly about the misconceptions people have about librarians, the "refresh and recharge" corner she's built for kids who need a quiet moment, and why she pushes back on the idea that "kids don't read anymore." Rachael also opens up about book advocacy, curating difficult topics with care, and why she believes stories give kids language for what they're going through.