To empower future educators to build inclusive learning environments and to create a literary space where all members of the Cedar Crest College community can see themselves and others reflected with care and dignity.
We welcome donations that support our mission and collection goals. All donated materials are evaluated by library staff to ensure they align with our collection priorities. The library reserves the right to accept, decline, or dispose of donated items at its discretion. We do not guarantee that donated items will be added to the collection. Thank you!
diverse literature today for our teachers of tomorrow
The #WeRead360 Library is a vibrant and thoughtfully curated collection of over 1,700 children’s and young adult books housed in Curtis Hall, Room 131. Organized by theme rather than reading level or age group, the collection is designed to support preservice teachers as they progress through the Education program, providing access to diverse literature that reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and voices. These books serve not only as instructional tools but also as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors, helping future educators to cultivate inclusive classrooms and deepen their cultural awareness.
More than just a curricular resource, the #WeRead360 Library is also a welcoming space for the wider Cedar Crest College community and beyond. Whether you're browsing for a read-aloud for fieldwork, exploring stories that reflect your own experiences, or simply looking for something that brings you joy, this space was designed to foster a sense of belonging, curiosity, and connection.
Checkouts and returns are simple and flexible: scan the QR code available in Room 131 to borrow materials directly, and return them either directly in the room or at the Circulation Desk in Cressman Library.
Visit us today and discover how stories can connect us all.
The roots of the #WeRead360 Library began in 2020, when Cressman Library and the Education Department were awarded funding from the Cedar Crest College Diversity and Inclusion Council’s IDEA Grant. This support made it possible to acquire nearly 70 titles celebrating a broad spectrum of identities and experiences, including stories centering Black and Brown protagonists, LGBTQ+ voices, characters with disabilities, refugee narratives, and many other beautifully diverse perspectives. This initial investment laid the groundwork for what would grow into a robust collection and a dynamic initiative aimed at transforming the way preservice teachers engage with literature and representation.
In 2021, the vision for the #WeRead360 Library was further amplified when the Education Department welcomed renowned author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton for a virtual campus event on February 22. Her conversation with Dr. Melissa Kamyab focused on the importance of diversity in children’s literature including how stories shape self-worth, build empathy, and challenge stereotypes. Brantley-Newton’s joyful, affirming work and powerful insights energized the campus community and underscored the urgent need for inclusive stories in every classroom.
These early efforts not only sparked the growth of the #WeRead360 Library but also helped define its mission to empower future educators to build inclusive learning environments and to create a literary space where all members of the Cedar Crest College community can see themselves and others reflected with care and dignity.
A Literacy Today Magazine article exploring the impact of diverse texts in education.
Cressman Library Staff were honored for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of literacy in our region and highlights the collaborative efforts between the Library, the Education Department, and our community partners.
Past honorees include Cedar Crest College Education Department faculty members Melissa Kamyab, Jill Purdy, and Ivonne Miranda.
A big congratulations to Dr. Kamyab who has been named the 1867 Endowed Chair for Excellence in Education for her research centering around the continued plan to not only help prepare preservice teachers to be more effective, but to also add to the profession’s understanding of the use of culturally-relevant materials. This work puts a unique spotlight on the #WeRead30 Library, the Education Department, and Cressman Library.