The spine of a book holds it together. The spine and spinal cord of vertebrates are vital for sending messages, detecting signals in their environment, and the interpretation and sharing of information - as do school libraries and learning commons for the school body and community. The lack thereof, can sever the functional ability, vitality, shape, and connectedness within a school context. As a school or division leader, difficult decisions are not easy. Often, budgets of libraries and learning commons are drastically reduced or outright eliminated. This session speaks to all teachers and administrators about how rejuvenating or taking your conceptual and physical library / learning commons is actually a massive strategic advantage that will serve their entire school community comprehensively, for a wiser and more adaptive hub for school safety, community programming, competency building, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and idea brokerages - and then, of course, the endless applications for literacy and numeracy. This session will highlight Canadian and global case-study examples where teacher-librarianship and school libraries are well-supported and thriving, as well as examples of school libraries persevering in Alberta, despite significant barriers to sustainability. This session aims to leave you unsettled about conventional perceptions of school libraries, inspiring you to question what the backbone of your school body is, imagining grand possibilities.