An open letter to the Los Angeles Unified School District on the defunding of school librarians
Printer-friendly versionFor Immediate Release
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 12:25
Contact: Marci Merola
AASL , Office for Library Advocacy (OLA)
To Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent; Dr. Judy Elliott, Chief Academic Officer; Ms. Monica Garcia, Board President; and all members of the Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District:
The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) are deeply concerned that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is considering defunding its school librarian positions (or “teacher librarian” positions, as they are known in California) from its schools. If the elimination moves forward, only 32 of approximately 700 schools will have full-time school librarians and only 10 will have part-time school librarians. This means that approximately 600,000 students will be deprived of one of the most valuable educational resources needed for students to compete in today’s 21st century workforce – a school librarian
LAUSD must not ignore the countless studies that demonstrate that students in schools with strong school library programs learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests. The elimination of school librarians means the District is losing invaluable teachers whose educational specialty is empowering students with life-long, independent learning skills.
School librarians offer students much more than just access to books. They serve as a vital component of the education teams found in today’s schools. School librarians teach students how to use the Internet, conduct independent study and research, and nurture a love for reading. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recognizes them as teachers, and their efforts can be measured to meet standards for professional teaching excellence.
Educators depend on school librarians to assist with keeping pace with the academic needs of 21st century students. Classroom teachers and school librarians collaborate to build learning skills into the curriculum, which then allows students to learn more effectively. From book selections to addressing the advancement in technologies and information gathering, school librarians teach students to use information legally and ethically.
In an era filled with tweets, YouTube videos, and Facebook, students often believe that information found online is true. It's not enough for children to know how to read – they must be able to select, evaluate, and use information appropriately and effectively. Too often students lack the ability to analyze the information found online and are left guessing what Web content can be trusted. School librarians provide access to the tools and resources necessary to gain these 21st century learning skills.
Can Los Angeles afford to leave its students behind? The elimination of these positions will have a devastating effect on the educational prospects and success of the District’s students. A good school library is not an option – it is essential to a good education. We urge you to reconsider your decision.
Regards,
Roberta Stevens
President
American Library Association
Nancy Everhart
President
American Association of School Librarians
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Comments
LA Defunding Teacher Librarians
As someone who was both a K-6 school librarian and a children’s librarian in a public library, I would like the policy makers in LA and everywhere to think about the consequences of eliminating school librarians from among the ranks of educators. I entered the public library scene in New York City just as one of the city’s worst fiscal crises was ending. The libraries, both school and public, suffered terrible losses. The public libraries recovered somewhat faster than the school libraries, so we saw many school children using the public library for homework assignments. To the majority of the students who had been without a teacher librarian for years, research consisted of copying articles from an encyclopedia or passages from a book. This lack of knowledge of how to find and evaluate and synthesize information placed all those children at a disadvantage, possibly, for the rest of their lives. Public librarians cannot do what school librarians do, that is, teach. There is no substitute for the teacher librarian. When I returned for visits to the rural community where I once was the school librarian, former students always recognized me. “She was my library teacher” was how they introduced me to their spouses and children. Those who want proof that school librarians are teachers need only ask our students.
Preparing for Global participation
I agree with the above statements, and I would like to add that students who learn to use a well developed, well arranged library according to INTERNATIONAL rules (which all of us library teachers learn in our specialized education — usually a master’s degree) can adapt and use any library in the world if they know the language where they are. Good libraries operated by educated and informed librarians/teachers become familiar to students who grow up with school libraries available.
As students become comfortable with research terminology and processes, they learn to adapt. They aren’t bewildered by a bombardment of information because they learn to focus, evaluate, and analyze what they receive or locate. They know where and how to begin a search and they aren’t afraid to tackle what, at first, may be an impossible task. They become confident in their ability to locate the answers they may need to solve a problem.
We are fast becoming a GLOBAL economy; we must not handicap our students by not preparing them to find answers and apply them appropriately no matter where they may be living or working.
Betty Dawn Hamilton (Using retired years to keep up with current events!)
BA, MSLIS
L.M.S (Middle & High School)
Former Chair of Texas Association of School Librarians
Former Contributing Editor of “Profession” section, Texas Library Journal
Former Chairman of Terry County Texas Historical Commission
Brownfield, TX
bhamilt@hughes.net
This is total disrespect for the Librarian in general!
In my understanding the school librarians are definitely teachers and more than that.
They guide, they help and assists the student in all kinds of way. In the classroom lecture
and roll call are only a protocol part of their teaching. But when comes the real educational
help the students do come to the librarian, for their research, project and everyday homework help, all these
is coming from the librarian. Teaching mannerism, ethics and by helping the students to show proper
behavior and attitude the librarian are building the students character and their influence very much impact each and individual students in their school life!
Librarians are needed and the school librarians are important in our society we all have to support them!