The Value of School Libraries in Learning

Since FY08, the School Librarian/Media Specialist position in Prince George's County Public Schools has been cut some 55%.  In the age of information technology with the push for innovative teaching techniques, it is evident that our school system is adversely impacting the learning environment by drastically reducing a key supportive position.

By mid 2001, researchers affiliated with the Library Research Service of the Colorado State Library and the University of Denver had completed four statewide studies on the impact of school library media programs on the academic achievement of U.S. public school students: 

* Information Empowered

* Measuring Up to Standards

* How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards, The Second Colorado Study

* Good Schools Have School Librarians:

Philosophically, these studies are rooted in the Information Power model espoused by the American Association of School Librarians and the findings from six decades of research related to the impact of school library media programs on academic achievement.

Information Power

The latest edition of the American Association of School Librarians' Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998) identifies three roles for school library media specialists (LMS). In a learning and teaching role, the LMS advances the instructional goals of the school. As a provider of information access and delivery, the LMS develops collections and services and facilitates their use. And, as a program administrator, the LMS serves as the library media center (LMC) manager as well as a school-wide advocate and trainer for information literacy. 

As Learning & Teaching the LMS:

• is part of a planning and teaching team with the classroom teacher,
• teaches information literacy, and
• provides one-to-one tutoring for students in need. 

In Information Access & Delivery the LMS:

• maintains quality collections of books and other materials selected to support the curriculum and
• maintains state-of-the-art technology that is integrated into the learning/teaching processes.

In Program Administration the LMS:

• advocates for information literacy with the principal, at faculty meetings, and in standards and curriculum committee meetings,
• provides in-service programs for teachers on resource-based learning, integrating information literacy into the curriculum, and getting the most out of technology, as well as teaching students. 

If Prince George's County Public Schools are to regain its status as a top educational institution in the United States it must reconsider its position on School Librarians/Media Specialist. School library media programs should be funded sufficiently to employ both professional and support staff and to have both information resources in a variety of formats and the technology necessary to extend the LM program beyond the walls of the library media center. Library media specialists should be recognized and utilized by principals and teachers as professional colleagues in the teaching and learning enterprise.

Support Our Librarians!

Meeting With Dr. Hite

Several weeks ago I was invited to attend a meeting with Dr. William Hite, Superintendent of PGCPS.  Based on the mailing list, all non-incumbent candidates for the Board of Education were invited to attend this meeting (Dr. Hite later stated that he also invited the current Board).

Although the email did not specify the intent of the meeting or its nature, I did not perceive a conflict.  However, there were those who found out about the scheduled meeting and promptly called me and ask that I not attend.  Not only that, but I was asked to write a letter stating that this meeting was an inappropriate request.

After much deliberation, I decided not to write the letter and confirm my attendance. After all, how could I, in good conscious, say no to a meeting with the Superintendent.  My candidacy is one that believes that any dialogue is good for the sake of students living in District 8.  The opportunity to have a discussion with Dr. Hite regarding the school system is very much needed and welcomed.

The meeting lasted a hour with approximately 12 in attendance including one incumbent.  There were six (6) areas discussed including Revenue, Enrollment, Poverty/ESOL, Innovation, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness and Maintenance and Repair.  Allow me to highlight my findings on Revenues.

Revenue - The total projected revenues for FY 2012 were $1.614B with 99% from three sources State 41%, County 38% and Federal 6.6%.

• Historically, over the past 5 years, the school system budget has seen a decline of 5%, representing $72,195,794.   

• What is a travesty is the fact that since FY08 the positions with the most cut are Guidance Counselors with a 15% reduction, Teachers with a with a 15% reduction, Therapist with a 23% reduction, Social Workers with a 50% reduction, and Librarians with a 55% reduction.

• Montgomery County spends $3,000 more per pupil than Prince George's County.  This in part is due to more funding allocated by the county to education.

• PGCPS has no revenue authority besides rental usage fees.

I'm no rocket scientist but how are "Children First" when critical services are continuously cut?  The resources that both our students and educators need must stay preserved for the sake of a brighter future in Prince George's County.  There is a systemic problem if by any sense of the imagination we are to believe that our school system is on the path of improvement with these drastic cuts to critical services.

Enrollment will continue to decline if students are not challenged with a curriculum that caters to different learning styles; Innovation is obsolete if educators are not given the proper tools to make it viable; ESOL communities will continue to struggle if unable to make cultural adjustments; Teachers cannot maintain effectiveness if year after year they are stripped of supportive resources; and Repairs will continue to plague our schools if creative partnerships are not employed.

It is time that we take a stance and get involved in our education system.  Join your local PTA/PTO at a neighborhood school or become a member of an organization that care about our students, but whatever you decide to do, do it with expediency!