Gwinnett County Public Schools has named Monica Brown as the 2025-26 School Librarian of the Year. The award honors a K-12 school librarian whose exemplary library program promotes a culture of reading, fosters critical thinking through inquiry and research and supports learning through collaborative partnerships.
Monica Brown, who works at Five Forks Middle School, is a champion for literacy. Brown encourages a culture of reading through “Book Talks with Mrs. Brown,” monthly contests, and Beanstack reading challenges. To create an immersive learning environment, she uses exhibit-style displays with artifacts, visuals, and interactive elements.
These displays celebrate cultures, heritage months, and curriculum connections. Beyond the school year, Brown promotes summer reading, the GCPS Book Mobile in the community, and cross-curricular initiatives that inspire students to see reading as joyful and connecting to their identities and interests…