At Bookmarked, our mission has always been to enhance literacy, support librarians, and empower parents with meaningful and easy ways to engage with their children's reading choices. While our approach has sparked skepticism and concerns from various groups, we will always invite open, constructive dialogue to clarify our intentions.
Let me share a few chapters from our journey...
Our Journey and Evolution:
Initially, we aimed to address the concerns over explicit materials in school libraries while also providing practical solutions for librarians and school districts. We strongly believe that libraries and books are the cornerstone of learning and education for all. We recognized quickly that the concerns, possible solutions, and logistics of meeting each stakeholder's needs were extremely complex. This early realization only reinforced our belief that better tools and innovative approaches were needed to navigate these challenges effectively. We wanted to protect districts from any public opinion that was not based on fact while working to enhance the library experience for all, including concerned parents.
Addressing Misconceptions:
In the course of our work, we've encountered several misunderstandings about our approach. We want to take this opportunity to clarify our position:
On Book Access: Our goal is to provide tools for informed decision-making, not to remove or censor materials.
On the Role of Librarians: Our technology is designed to support and empower librarians, not replace them.
On Student Reading: We aim to enhance access to a wide range of books while respecting community standards.
We understand that innovative solutions to complex problems require an iterative process that encourages stakeholder input and feedback. Despite the complexities, our commitment remains unchanged: we are focused on finding solutions that foster respect, promote a love of reading, and uphold the belief that literacy for all is a worthy pursuit.
Transparency and Librarian Support:
Our technology is designed to support librarians by providing them with data-informed insights and decreasing time-consuming tasks so they can spend more time with students. We stand in solidarity with librarians in making libraries more diverse, offering multiple perspectives, and keeping intellectual freedoms in place. We hope to rely on librarian expertise and empower librarians with tools fit for a 21st-century reading journey. With OnShelf, our Library Solution, administrators, librarians, teachers, and parents will be able to collaborate on increasing transparency and utilization within libraries or wherever book collections might be in your district.
Inviting Constructive Dialogue:
We understand that finding a solution that satisfies everyone may prove challenging, but we are committed to finding a balanced approach that prioritizes literacy, parental engagement, and the freedom to read. We invite you to join the conversation and contribute your perspectives for common ground.
Our Vision for the Future:
While our initial focus is on providing solutions for school districts, our vision expands beyond the classroom. We aim to create personalized, unbiased book recommendations for readers of all ages based on their interests, reading levels, and various data points, all within a secure framework that prioritizes data safety. Approaching literacy through these capabilities enables us to engage learners of all ages in developing strong literacy skills and a love of learning.
Conclusion:
Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and improvement. Reflecting on our short journey as a startup, we recognize that there will be challenges and obstacles to discovering positive and meaningful solutions, regardless of the context or situation. We remain resolute in our commitment to literacy and empowering readers of all ages. We sincerely invite you to join us on this journey and contribute to creating a future where everyone can find hope in promoting literacy and sharing the joy of reading.