CURRENT POSITION School Librarian and District Library Coordinator, President-Elect of Pennsylvania School Librarians Association DEGREE MSLS, Mansfield University, 2012 FAST FACT DeMaria is a Shakespeare-loving, sourdough-curious, tee shirt–making, concert junkie who is freakishly good at Skee-Ball. FOLLOW X: @sarah_demaria; Instagram: @literaturenlibations Photo by Sam Interrante Photography

Statewide Supporter

Over the past two years, Pennsylvania has experienced a surge in book censorship, embroiling school librarians in a culture war that detracts from their primary mission: serving students. Sarah DeMaria, cochair and president-elect of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association’s (PSLA) Advocacy Committee, hears from school librarians statewide who have faced public attacks, reassignments, and chosen resignation due to flawed policies.

While supporting school librarians locally, DeMaria recognized the need for broader action. Partnering with a lobbyist, she helped establish the statewide coalition, Pennsylvanians for Welcoming and Inclusive Schools (PA WInS).

In October 2023, DeMaria testified at the Pennsylvania Joint Democratic Policy Committee Meeting, highlighting censorship’s impact on school librarians. She also provided written testimony at a Senate Education Committee hearing on sexually explicit content in schools. She now conducts professional development for association members to build their legislative understanding and advocacy skills and pushes for school librarians to be included in bills pertaining to information literacy.

What’s next for DeMaria? She’s excited about her PSLA presidency, offering professional development in information and media literacy, and educating legislators about the value of school librarians and the need for them in every building.

DeMaria recalls attending her first PSLA conference in 2013 after becoming a school librarian. She remembers listening to the president speak and thinking, I want that. “I want to continue to learn to be a great librarian,” DeMaria says, “to gain enough meaningful experience, and to be brave enough to take on a leadership role at a national level.”