Cherity Pennington, Director of Library and Media Services for Shawnee Public Schools, is gaining recognition across Oklahoma for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of school libraries and certified librarians. A passionate and knowledgeable voice in the field, Pennington has played a critical role in educating state legislators and community members about the vital role school libraries play in student success.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program, Pennington has long believed that school libraries should reflect and support the communities they serve. Under her leadership, Shawnee’s school libraries continue to be innovative, inclusive, and student-focused spaces that foster both academic achievement and a lifelong love of reading.
Working alongside fellow Oklahoma librarians Molly Dettmann and Amanda Kordeliski, Pennington has taken an active role in statewide library advocacy efforts through the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA). As former president of the OLA, she helped build relationships with lawmakers and educate them about the professional standards and responsibilities of school librarians.
“In recent years, we were able to use those relationships when we started to see legislation that could have harmed school libraries,” said Pennington. “We explained the consequences of those proposals, and we were able to defeat almost every one. That’s the power of being present, informed, and respectful in advocacy.”
Pennington emphasizes that school librarians are not just caretakers of books, they are certified educators with advanced degrees who collaborate with teachers, introduce students to research and technology skills, and help build inclusive learning environments.
Her message is simple: “If we want our kids to be better readers, then every child must have access to a fully funded library and a certified librarian.”
Despite national challenges to books and school libraries, Pennington and her colleagues remain hopeful. “We’re not just fighting back,” she says. “We’re showing what school libraries can be: centers of literacy, equity, and opportunity.”