tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Mar 24, 2016 13:51:47 GMT
The word going around facebook is they are beginning to phase out the school libraries district wide and by next school year they will be no more. I am not sure as to the reasonings but apparently other local districts have done/are in the process of doing the same thing.
Someone from another district said, at least at the elementary level, the books were distributed to the classrooms, according to reading levels and used to expand the classroom libraries, which I suppose is the alternative to the larger school library.
Has any one heard of this and what would be the pros for this action? |
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Post by stampinbetsy on Mar 24, 2016 13:57:48 GMT
The district I used to work in has done this - I think they kept the librarian at the high school, but the rest got put back in the classroom. As far as I know, the library still exists but it is now run by a para.
I guess the pro is that they're saving a professional salary in each building.
The district I live in still has a librarian on each campus. I know at our elemtary schools, they are in charge of the (video) announcements.
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AnotherPea
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Post by AnotherPea on Mar 24, 2016 13:59:10 GMT
money would be the pros. Libraries are expensive. Librarians are expensive. You have to reorder books over and over because they get lost or damaged (and parents rarely pay the associated fees). Once the books make it to the class libraries, they won't be reordered again. And of course the teachers have extra time/money so they can manage the libraries on their own. @@ Some libraries have computer programs that have subscriptions. Most libraries are expensive to heat and cool because of the layout. Imagine how many offices/classrooms you could make out of a school library. No need to get mobile units or renovate/build schools.
Some districts, like mine, see little value in paper books. There's no need to have books and periodicals when you have WIFI for the students (which only allows 10% of the student population on at once). Let the kids use the internet as their source. Because even though most of what is on the internet is rubbish, it is up to date. SOOOOO much better than those antiquated books from the 90s on American History or the anatomy of the human body.
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Judy26
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Post by Judy26 on Mar 24, 2016 14:06:13 GMT
It is a money saving action with no other redeeming value. It saddens me beyond belief. Fostering a life long love of reading doesn't immediately raise test scores so let's just do away with libraries.
Cutting libraries during a recession is like cutting hospitals during a plague.
– Eleanor Crumblehulme
What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education.
–Harold Howe
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 24, 2016 14:18:15 GMT
It is a money saving action with no other redeeming value. It saddens me beyond belief. Fostering a life long love of reading doesn't immediately raise test scores so let's just do away with libraries. Cutting libraries during a recession is like cutting hospitals during a plague. – Eleanor Crumblehulme What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education. –Harold Howe ITA!! |
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psiluvu
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Post by psiluvu on Mar 24, 2016 14:18:36 GMT
Our libraries in all three schools my kids attended have been turned into learning commons. The books are still there but there are now comfy couches and bean bag chairs, carts of ipads and chromebooks, areas for group study and book clubs much more inviting than the silent study carrols of my youth. The librarian is now also a tech expert.
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Post by moveablefeast on Mar 24, 2016 14:19:14 GMT
Research shows that students in schools with credentialed teacher librarians perform better on many measures of achievement, including reading scores, comprehension, and critical thinking.
The TL's job is not just to shelve books - it is to facilitate access to, and understanding of, information resources in pursuit of quality inquiry. Wifi and wikipedia is not sufficient to develop the kind of skill in information gathering and analysis that our students will require to actually engage with information - in school or in life.
I am in favor of maintaining the TL and the school library as a hub of inquiry. The school library is about so much more than books. It needs to be funded and staffed as part of the school's comprehensive plan for student success.
(I'm a public librarian and a school administrator, so I am admittedly deeply biased.)
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Post by Lindarina on Mar 24, 2016 14:23:02 GMT
I'm the librarian at our school, which means I have one hour each week to do all the work that needs to be done. In addition I have the budget to buy approximately 10 new books each year.
Nothing inspires children to read more than worn out books from the 80's.
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Judy26
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Post by Judy26 on Mar 24, 2016 14:24:46 GMT
Research shows that students in schools with credentialed teacher librarians perform better on many measures of achievement, including reading scores, comprehension, and critical thinking. The TL's job is not just to shelve books - it is to facilitate access to, and understanding of, information resources in pursuit of quality inquiry. Wifi and wikipedia is not sufficient to develop the kind of skill in information gathering and analysis that our students will require to actually engage with information - in school or in life. I am in favor of maintaining the TL and the school library as a hub of inquiry. The school library is about so much more than books. (I'm a public librarian and a school administrator, so I am admittedly deeply biased.) I am retiring this year from a similar position. I am not being replaced. To say I am bitter is an understatement. |
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Post by debmast on Mar 24, 2016 14:26:33 GMT
Our district still has libraries in all schools. Each library has a librarian and a library assistant. I don't think they are going anywhere here. New schools opening here next year and these positions on on the "hire" list for those as well
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Mar 24, 2016 14:29:08 GMT
Our libraries in all three schools my kids attended have been turned into learning commons. The books are still there but there are now comfy couches and bean bag chairs, carts of ipads and chromebooks, areas for group study and book clubs much more inviting than the silent study carrols of my youth. The librarian is now also a tech expert. Same. We call them The Library Learning Commons and we have "collaboration stations" where the kids can hook up their digital devices and work together. There are still plenty of books but it's a 21st century library. I think it's sad districts are doing away with them. I think it sends the wrong message to kids about the value of reading. |
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moodyblue
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Post by moodyblue on Mar 24, 2016 14:31:37 GMT
Research shows that students in schools with credentialed teacher librarians perform better on many measures of achievement, including reading scores, comprehension, and critical thinking. The TL's job is not just to shelve books - it is to facilitate access to, and understanding of, information resources in pursuit of quality inquiry. Wifi and wikipedia is not sufficient to develop the kind of skill in information gathering and analysis that our students will require to actually engage with information - in school or in life. I am in favor of maintaining the TL and the school library as a hub of inquiry. The school library is about so much more than books. It needs to be funded and staffed as part of the school's comprehensive plan for student success. (I'm a public librarian and a school administrator, so I am admittedly deeply biased.) Absolutely this!!! Schools need large classroom libraries AND a library/media center. As a reading specialist I'm always deeply saddened and disappointed when I hear of schools cutting librarians and shutting down the school library. It's a shortsighted decision, almost always based on financial reasons - but it has long lasting effects, none of which are good. |
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MsKnit
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Post by MsKnit on Mar 24, 2016 14:39:24 GMT
So sad! I adored my elementary school librarian.
Locally, the high school and middle school have librarians. Not sure about he new elementary that was built. It's the main elementary. So, I would be surprised if they don't have one. The satellite elementary schools' libraries are run by parent volunteers. I ran the boy's elementary library for a number of years.
A library being expendable sends a horrible message.
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msliz
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Post by msliz on Mar 24, 2016 14:43:17 GMT
Over the last 13 years while my kids have been in school, the libraries in our (very good!) school districts have been converted into media centers. The "librarian" is now a technology specialist, and the kids, all grades after K, have classes there. The kids all get access to shared computers so none are needed in individual classrooms (cost saving). And any subject can be combined with a tech lesson.
There are still books on the shelves, but it's mostly fiction now.
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Post by ferblover on Mar 24, 2016 15:02:46 GMT
we are losing our beloved librarian at the end of the school year and she will not be replaced. The tech teacher will oversee the computers and the books and the "comfy" area. We have no choice if we don't want over crowed classrooms. We need to hire 3-4 more teachers and to off set that cost we need to do away with a librarian salary and our assistant principal. As a bonus in my state I "get" to pay nearly 4K for full day kindergarten.
Our district does site based budgeting so it is up to each school whether or not they have a librarian, specials teachers etc. Some schools in our district don't have a Tech teacher which is odd considering how much our District talks about being a World Class 21 Century district.
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Mar 24, 2016 15:10:31 GMT
I just heard from a friend that the librarians have all been "reassigned" at the elementary level and what they are doing with the actual libraries are undecided but it doesn't sound good. As for now, since at least one of the librarians was re-assigned to the middle school library, the middle school and high school library will continue from the sounds of it.
I am sure it is a monetary decision but I can't see any benefit educationally in this move. I am not sure where else they can/ should cut from either as I have no idea what the budget looks like.
Our district has been saddled with silly lawsuits as of the last- I want to say 20 years- like a crazy amount- from backing out of a tech deal with the local ISD and being sued to the old superintendent's personal email being hacked and distributed illegally by school board members, to the next superintendent being fired due to porn and claiming he was set up and was fired illegally- and the school board settling out of court to avoid a huge legal mess. And at one point TWO people were being paid a superintendent salary because they were trying to force out the undesirable one. I think this may be the side effect of the messes created by the school board over the last 20 years.
There is some serious dissatisfaction regarding our school board and some major changes seem to be underway in the next election... but every major board shake up promises changes and we never seem to see it just more messes and lawsuits. The teachers are fantastic but the school board drama, not so much.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 24, 2016 15:19:38 GMT
So sad.  Sending books to the classrooms sorted by reading levels does nothing for the kid whose reading level is way below or way above whatever the grade is. Also the librarian can recommend other books, steer kids to new things, etc. The librarian (she refuses to call herself a "Media Specialist" even though that's her official title) at the elementary school where my kids went knew (still does...she's still there after 20-something years) every kid and what they liked to read. She would greet my reluctant reader ds as we walked to school in the morning with "Oh G. I just got in a new book about knights! I've saved it on my desk for you." She also recommends books for me, lol. She knows I love Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc. so sometimes when she sees me subbing (I only sub at this school) she'll say "come by later, I've found a new fantasy book I think you'll like." I can't imagine doing away with libraries. I feel the same way about closed-stack libraries in universities... half the fun is going to find the book you've just looked up and then browsing your way through the books near it on the shelves. |
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Post by ntsf on Mar 24, 2016 15:26:51 GMT
our city voted extra tax money that goes specifically to libraries, sports, nurses and supplies. our libraries are being strengthened...and we have good public libraries too...
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Post by cmhs on Mar 24, 2016 15:40:00 GMT
Ours isn't going anywhere. We just put a lot of money into replacing the card catalogs with an electronic version. We are integrating a lot of technology into the library classes, too. Our librarian is now called a Media Specialist.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 15:49:58 GMT
The shortsightedness of this makes me want to hurl.
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Post by myshelly on Mar 24, 2016 15:59:20 GMT
I find this so sad.
Outside our library there is a lovely plaque that says
Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Mar 24, 2016 16:27:32 GMT
Most public schools still have libraries, but many teacher librarians (a certified teacher who has done extra training to become a trained school librarian) are gone and have been replaced with library techs (non-teachers, non- librarians - just someone with training to run the library but not really trained at helping / teaching the kids). Here, a library tech gets paid less than a teacher librarian. I understand the reason for the switch - it's too bad but better than getting rid of the library I think.
Our private school moved from a library tech to no one running the library (or should I say learning commons) except teachers on their preps. Dd is moving to a new school next year and we are happy that they have 2 full time teacher librarians. I will say, though, that this wasn't a selling feature for us and wasn't a major issue for us at the current school. It seems Dh and I have forgotten the value of a great librarian.
I understand the reasoning behind getting rid of libraries. It feels like a major shame. Sitting and doing research in a library might be a thing of the past but there were many other fun things to do in the library
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Mar 24, 2016 16:48:25 GMT
I've been an elementary school media specialist for 19 years. Fortunately here in Georgia I believe school libraries are still safe. I teach skills classes by request, coordinate our reading program, and check out a lot of books. I still feel that matching each child with the book that will turn him into a lifelong reader is the most important part of my job. I feel much appreciated and supported in my building. It saddens me greatly that other states might lose their libraries.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Mar 24, 2016 16:53:45 GMT
as a lifelong reader who loved my weekly library trips as a young child, the thought of this happening to school libraries saddens me...
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Sending books to the classrooms sorted by reading levels does nothing for the kid whose reading level is way below or way above whatever the grade is. Also the librarian can recommend other books, steer kids to new things, etc. The librarian (she refuses to call herself a "Media Specialist" even though that's her official title) at the elementary school where my kids went knew (still does...she's still there after 20-something years) every kid and what they liked to read. She would greet my reluctant reader ds as we walked to school in the morning with "Oh G. I just got in a new book about knights! I've saved it on my desk for you." She also recommends books for me, lol. She knows I love Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc. so sometimes when she sees me subbing (I only sub at this school) she'll say "come by later, I've found a new fantasy book I think you'll like."
