(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — April 1, 2026) — Libraries are the perfect place to learn about the world around you or imagine a place that you’ve only seen in your dreams. This April, as El Paso ISD celebrates School Library Month, we are shining a spotlight on these unique spaces that serve as both a quiet sanctuary and a vibrant launchpad for every student’s future. We also honor those who make these spaces the beating heart of our district and enrich students with knowledge.
Studies have shown that school libraries play a critical role in supporting a student’s well-being. According to the American Library Association, students in schools with effective school library programs, learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests than their peers in schools without comparable resources.
Libraries have evolved from being places just for studying; they have become centers of creativity and connection where curiosity is nurtured, and every child belongs.
On campuses across El Paso ISD, the library often feels more like a creative studio than a traditional study hall.
“The library is the major hub of any school,” says El Paso High School librarian Dominique St. John. “It’s a safe place, yes, but it’s also where the action is. Students come here to get work done, but stay to relax, play Jenga, connect over a game of Dungeons & Dragons, or brainstorm their next big project.”
Whether it’s a senior researching for a final or a freshman looking for a quiet corner to decompress, St. John says the goal is the same: providing a space where every student belongs.
In an age of endless Google searches, Maria Cortez, the librarian at Dr. Nixon Elementary, believes the role of the librarian as a "navigator" has never been more vital.
“Libraries are free fountains of information,” Cortez says. “If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to, ask a librarian. She will undoubtedly help you find it. We are here to ensure that curiosity never hits a dead end.”
For Cortez and her colleagues across the district, the "magic moment" happens when a student moves from searching for a fact to finding a passion. “I love seeing the joy on a student’s face when they discover a book they love,” she added. “When I can help them find that spark, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
For the students of El Paso ISD, the library is their "Third Space"—the middle ground between home and the classroom where they find their own voice.
“Books are free knowledge and power to the brain,” said El Paso ISD student Suyana Diaz. Her classmate, Remey Armendariz, agrees: “Books are good for your imagination. They inspire people and teach them to be more creative.”
Beyond the creative spark, libraries offer a much-needed mental health sanctuary. “Reading can improve your mood and help you relax,” noted senior Isabel Montes. “Librarians do such hard work keeping these spaces in great shape for us. It’s a place where we can truly focus.”
The excellence found in EPISD libraries isn’t an accident. It’s the result of a tight-knit network of professionals who collaborate daily to share strategies and resources.
“EPISD librarians are wonderful, kind, helpful, and always willing to lend a hand,” Cortez says.
As El Paso ISD continues to nurture the next generation of innovators, our libraries remain the soil where those dreams take root and where futures are written.
Thank you to all of the librarians who make El Paso ISD special each and every day.