A Hudson Valley librarian who makes sure she stocks reading material for all kids to identify with has been recognized for her success in engaging kids.

For the big impact she's had on the lives of students, Michell Wright Jumpp, library media specialist at Horizons-On-the-Hudson Magnet School in Newburgh, was just named the 2021 New York Library Association's librarian of the year.

"I knew I wanted to touch every life, and I'm able to do that here," Jumpp said. "I was genuinely surprised and honored just to be selected from so many marvelous people."

Jumpp moved to Newburgh because of its diverse population, and in her 12 years here, she’s made it a point to reflect that rich diversity in her library.

"Just seeing the light in their eyes, the twinkle in their eyes when they see a book that reflects them, their traditions, their cultures," she said. "If you look around my room, I make sure that every kid can see themselves in the books."

Jumpp embraces her students' cultures even in her nail polish, painted to look like the flags of her students' homelands.

"They're so proud of their traditions. I show them with painting my fingers that I have traditions, too," Jumpp said. "I'm American, I'm Jamaican."

She also lets students request the types of books they want to see.

"A little girl asked me if I had books about hijabs and I made sure I had it. And when she walked in and saw this book, she ran over and hugged the book," Jumpp said.

There’s even a section of books in 13 different languages, ranging from Urdu to Spanish.

"I even have a Native-American language section," Jumpp said.

But being a librarian during the pandemic hasn’t been easy, especially when students were learning remotely. Jumpp organized 30 different virtual events to keep the students engaged.

"My kids are able to create a book about a talent they have," she said. "They have to talk about the challenges they’ve had and how they overcome."

It’s not just about books in Jumpp’s library. It's about appreciating what makes us all different.

"Practically every day, a kid tells me they love me, and I do the same," Jumpp said. "I tell them all the time, 'I love you.'"