Updated: Cambridge Public Schools Librarian to Return Book Donation by FLOTUS Melania Trump

CAMBRIDGE, MA - A Cambridge Public Schools librarian has explained why her class won't be keeping a donation of books donated by First Lady Melania Trump.

In an open letter on the book review site, Horn Book, Cambridgeport elementary school librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro explained that her school already has thousands of books and noted there were schools in greater need of the donation. She also criticized the policies of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

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Soeiro criticized specific books that were donated as well.

"So, my school doesn’t have a NEED for these books," she wrote. "And then there’s the matter of the books themselves. You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliché, a tired and worn ambassador for children’s literature."

Soeiro continued, writing that schools in large cities are in greater need than hers in Cambridge.

"School libraries around the country are being shuttered. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit are suffering through expansion, privatization, and school “choice” with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers, and their schools. Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos? Why not reflect on those “high standards of excellence” beyond only what the numbers suggest? Secretary DeVos would do well to scaffold and lift schools instead of punishing them with closures and slashed budgets."

Cambridge Public Schools on Thursday issued a statment regarding Soeiro's post. It said that while it supports its employees right to voice their personal opinions, Phipps Soeiro’s letter wasn’t an official school position.

“While we enthusiastically support the political engagement and passion of our employees, in this instance the editorial posted online gave the impression that the statement reflected the position or actions of the Cambridge Public Schools,” it read. “Our school district did not authorize any such statement.”

“The opinions expressed in the Horn Book editorial were those of the writer, and not a statement on behalf of Cambridge Public Schools,” it continued. “This was not a formal acceptance or rejection of donated books, but a statement of opinion on the meaning of the donation.”

Soeiro is the founder of the Cambridge Book Bike, which has distributed thousands of books in the city since it began.

She also the Massachusetts School Library Association's Legislative Co-chair, she serves on two state library commissions and serves on the board of advisors for Libraries Without Borders.

In her post, she suggested 10 other titles for the first lady, covering the subjects of immigration, children standing up to racism, and “children who challenge society’s social constraints.”

Mrs. Trump, you sent ten picture books, so I will recommend ten as well — but there are so many more! My wish is that these books will help you see:

• the beautiful resilience of children who stand up to racism and oppression and for social justice and reform;
• children who are trying to connect with parents who are incarcerated simply because of their immigration status;
• children who integrate aspects of their own cultures and countries of origin into their new country;
• children whose parents risked everything to enter the U.S. so they can have a chance at a future free from violence and/or poverty;
• children who challenge society’s social constraints and are accepted and loved as who they say they are.

You can read the entire letter here.

Courtesy Photo / Liz Phipps Soeiro