Karin's Post-The Demise of School Libraries

     It is very disheartening to read and hear of the demise of school libraries.  With the growing age of digital use and the need for its access especially among lower socioeconomic communities, it is hard to believe that school libraries are would be a target of cutbacks and downsizing.  Proposals of alleviating school librarians and putting the responsibility of library information and access on teachers and volunteers is not an easy answer.  Teachers are already overloaded.  With the implementation of common core and the increase in class size, teachers are at their maximum, working hours above and beyond their paid salaries.  Working in an elementary school and being married to a fourth grade teacher, I am aware of the extensive hours put in beyond the typical paid eight hour day.  To add the duties of library skills and checkout requires more than the expected job description of a teacher.  Also, assuming that volunteers can pick up the slack too is an unreliable answer.  A lot of parents must work to support their households and do not have the time to volunteer at schools.  With the support of school administration, we must keep the staff in school libraries in motion as explained in the website, AlterNet, Is the End of the School Library Upon Us?  Budget Cuts Hit Librarians Where it Hurts.  Keeping school libraries open and staffed offers students a place where information, assistance, and contact to the digital world are accessible for their needs.  How can we expect our youth to grow and learn if we limit their resources?  Limiting availability to all of the libraries resources is like asking children to limit reading.  School libraries set the precedence for public library use and all of its services.  A keen appreciation and understanding of the services offered in a library starts in a child's school library.