Demise of School Libraries

The Demise of School Libraries

                It’s true that school libraries are feeling the strains of the economic down turn.  I have heard of many school librarians and media technicians’ talk of shortened hours and not enough time to get everything done.  There has been a strain on what books are purchased, and how to raise the funds to buy them.  In The LT140 Class we watched a video that was taped by Ranch Bernardo High School Media Technician Theresa Bonafede.(1)  In the video she describes her duties and her stress to get the job done.  She is not the only one to describe a trying situation.

                With all the doom and gloom over the financial stress of school libraries, one must wonder how they will survive.  There is good news from a reputable source.  The American Library Association, in its publication American Libraries, states that libraries will have greater access to materials for students, and be more cost effective. (2.) How will they do this?  They will ask for the money if need be, from the government and from the public.  The School libraries know that they need the funds to make it happen.“Despite widespread budget cuts, many schools, districts, and states are making a commitment to school library programs, acknowledging that strides in public education cannot be successful without a fully staffed and funded school library program.”(3)

School librarians are also making the libraries successful for their students.  They are leaning inventive ways of getting the information and materials to the students.  “School librarians are assuming a leadership role in navigating a new frontier as student access to information continues beyond the school day in what is often called digital learning, blended learning, extended learning, expanded learning, or 24/7 learning. The role of the school librarian is to find new tools and activities, tether them back to institutional and curricular needs, and guide instructional opportunities for anytime-anywhere learning that will accompany students beyond the school library program.”(4)

So, when push gets to shove, the job will get done…somehow.

(1)  https://learn.palomar.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1066209-dt-content-rid-6275071_1/xid-6275071_1

(2) "The State of America's Libraries." Americanlibrariesmagazine.org Apr. 2014: 1-79. Web. 14 Apr.  Pg. 29.

2014. <http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/eca3ba38#/eca3ba38/1>.

(3) "The State of America's Libraries." Pg. 30

(4) "The State of America's Libraries." Pg .30