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The School Library – A Gateway to Empathy?
- Anna Simmonds
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Intro by Empathy Studios:
At Empathy Studios, we believe empathy is at the heart of education and that school libraries are a vital space for nurturing this skill. This week, we’re excited to share insights from Barbara Band, a seasoned librarian and passionate advocate for the power of diverse stories. In her blog, Barbara explores school libraries as a gateway to empathy, showing how they open doors to different perspectives and play a crucial role in fostering emotional wellbeing and inclusive communities within schools. Read on to see how libraries can be a game-changer for building empathy in your school!
“Why does empathy matter? We live in a complex, fast-changing world marked by social divisions and global interconnections. Issues like poverty, migration and inequality affect people in different ways, and empathy helps us to understand these differences and the impact of circumstances beyond an individual’s control.
As cultural, political and ideological divisions grow, empathy becomes essential for bridging gaps and finding common ground. In the digital world - where communication is often anonymous and impersonal - it reminds us that there is a real person behind the screen, fostering more respectful and compassionate interactions. Empathy also plays a vital role in supporting emotional wellbeing and creating safe, inclusive spaces. This is particularly crucial given rising concerns around the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. In short, empathy is key to building relationships, resolving conflicts and creating connected, inclusive communities.
Fortunately, empathy is a skill that can be learned and developed through reading, active listening, thoughtful discussion and engaging with different people. And the school library plays a unique and powerful role in this process. It acts as a gateway to understanding diverse perspectives, exploring human experiences and fostering emotional intelligence.
Books allow students to understand someone else’s perspective. A diverse and inclusive library collection that reflects a wide range of cultures, abilities, identities and lived experiences enables students to see both their own lives and the lives of others reflected in stories. While fiction and memoirs are particularly effective for building empathy, incorporating other media - such as podcasts, documentaries and digital storytelling - broadens access and appeals to a wider range of students.
Reading groups, book clubs and book-based discussion promote reflective reading and encourage meaningful conversations. These spaces help students to explore different viewpoints, recognise bias and consider systemic inequalities. They also provide platforms for marginalised voices to be heard. Guided questions like ‘Why do you think the character felt that way?’ or ‘How would you have responded?’ help students develop emotional awareness and connect their own experiences with those of others.
An inclusive school library fosters a safe, respectful environment grounded in kindness, empathy and acceptance. These values should be embedded in library policies and clearly reflected in its ethos and mission statement. Librarians, as trusted adults, play a vital role in modelling empathetic behaviour and providing support to students who may feel isolated or marginalised.
So, what else can you do as a school librarian to foster empathy-building?
Celebrate your students’ identities. Get to know their cultures, religions and traditions and reflect these in your displays, booklists and events. Representation matters - not only for the students to see themselves but also for others to learn about the world through different lenses. Themed displays around topics like kindness, identity, forgiveness or ‘books that changed me’ can be used to prompt conversations around inclusion, justice and compassion.
Host events that promote empathy and understanding. Invite speakers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Celebrate days such as World Kindness Day and Refugee Week (this 16th-22nd June!) with talks, curated reading lists, displays and posters. Explore, promote and highlight empathy-focused programmes such as 'The Empathy Programme' by Empathy Studios, ‘Read for Empathy’ book collections and resources from the Be Kind Movement to reinforce the message.
A cozy library scene with a panda bear holding a colourful book, while two people enjoy reading in the background.
Empathy takes practice, curiosity and courage. It’s not about always being agreeable or ‘nice’ - it’s about recognising and validating someone else’s feelings and point of view. Empathy is essential for navigating a complex, connected and often divided world, and by helping children and young people develop this core skill, school libraries are empowering them to shape a more compassionate future, one in which everyone feels seen, heard and valued."
Barbara’s blog is a reminder that school libraries are way more than shelves of books - they cultivate curiosity, connection and empathy. Whether you’re a librarian, teacher, or just a champion of young people, there’s plenty here to inspire you to make your space one where every student feels seen, heard and valued. Thanks for reading along with us - here’s to creating more compassionate schools, one story at a time!
