Staffing and Budget Cuts

Concern:

1. Librarians are teachers! Each librarian in our state must have a teaching degree and a library media endorsement of MLS. Many librarians are not treated as teachers.
2. Because of budget cuts, requisitions (supplies, books, magazines and technology equipment) are not meeting the current and future needs of students.
3. School librarians are fearful of staff cuts when (non-certified) paraprofessionals are frequently brought into the library to do the “job” of the librarian. Often the scope of the “librarian’s job” is construed as “checking in and checking out” books. In smaller schools, more often than not, a non-certified person is in charge of the library.

Action: The Affiliate Executive Committee did not approve this concern for submission to the Affiliate Assembly body.