The Demise of School Libraries

It is unfortunate that school libraries have become a major casualty of our countries economic state. Actual librarians are becoming a rarity in school libraries today. Sadly, school libraries aren't very high on the priority list when it comes down to budgets and funding.  In fact you would be hard pressed to find library para-professionals staffing school libraries these days.

Public libraries have had to step up and fill in for the lack of school libraries. Public libraries have to keep in constant contact with their local schools to figure out and ensure that they are meeting their needs. This only adds to the long list of responsibilities that our public librarians must fulfill and the every increasing role that public libraries are now playing in our local communities.

One of the major ways that Public libraries are fulfilling this, is by becoming joint-use facilities. This means partnering with close enough schools to take the place of an in house school library. Our local San Diego Central Library is an example of a joint-use facility. Although, it is a public library, it also serves are the library for the e3 Civic High Charter School located on the 6th and 7th floor of the library. e3 Civic high students come in daily to use the facility, for our resources and wi-fi access.