Our favorite librarian is back to share about her latest insights from her work in Jordan. Enjoy Libby's words in Why Asking "Why" Is Important

Questions are important for a librarian. I want the people I'm helping to find answers to their questions, whether they are looking for simple facts like when Easter will be celebrated, or more profound questions about life. With students, we are trying to build a lifelong attitude of seeking true answers to the questions they have.

Recently, one of the teachers at one of the schools tried an experiment. He asked his 3rd grade students, most of whom are from here in the Middle East, to identify an ecosystem, and then he asked them to say why they answered the way they did. There was no right answer to this second question. He just wanted them to be able to give some reason.

His experiment was rather depressing. None of his students could give a reason for their answer.

Why does this matter? In this part of the world, students are expected to memorize and repeat back the "right answer". They aren't asked to answer "why" questions; they aren't taught to ask these questions either. Learning to question is an important skill for those whose lives we want to see transformed.

And this is where the library is so important: libraries are places where people can ask and answer questions.  I know I'm successful when a curious student can search for true answers either online or in print, using the resources we provide in the library. I love making libraries a place where these learning journeys can lead to lives transformed by Hope.

What questions have prompted you to change and grow?