Antiquated or Essential, That is the Question

I read with dismay Marc Bernstein’s recommendations regarding steps our schools should take in these trying budgetary times (Newsday, November 23, 2010). His comments suggesting that having a professional librarian in our high schools and a minimum number of books is antiquated shows a lack of understanding of the pivotal role school library professionals play in our schools. In fact, I believe that schools at all levels should have libraries that boast an extensive variety of resources and reading materials as well as a professional librarian whose responsibilities are so varied that any compiled list doesn’t do justice to the reality of the myriad professional activities that fill the librarian’s day.

Professional librarians across all levels support classroom initiatives to increase student achievement by providing to students a rich, varied and challenging collection of resources. Instruction delivered by school librarians promotes literacy, critical thinking, and develops ways in which research process activities may be utilized to foster intellectual growth and greater success with assessments. Certainly the number of resources a library holds is not as critical as the backbone of instruction that bolsters the use of these materials.

Professional school librarians develop an understanding of the curriculum and collaborate with teachers to ascertain what our young people need to know. They evaluate and select books and resources that are most appropriate to their assignments and interests. Librarians teach students the strategies they need in order to use these materials most effectively. Librarians entice students to take a break from their everyday activities to delve into the world of literature by carefully selecting and promoting titles that appeal to varied interests and reading abilities. Librarians teach students and teachers how to integrate technology to best advantage to invigorate teaching and learning. Librarians prepare students to take advantage of the complex libraries they will encounter in post-secondary educational settings.

In an environment where 21st century skills are touted, we must recognize that a student’s academic achievement extends beyond the classrooms into libraries, that equity of access is every student’s right, and learning how to be an effective library user translates into gaining the skills to be truly information literate and taking one’s place on the path to lifelong learning. Districts should be encouraged to nurture a program that places the library at center stage in a child’s educational journey. Budgetary support for our libraries and the professionals who run them must continue even in challenging economic times.