Job Elimination and Staffing

Concern:

• Elementary certified librarian positions continue to be cut and replaced with a clerk or paralibrarian.
• Districts have now begun to cut middle school certified librarians and replaced them with a clerk.
• Districts are either cutting high school certified librarians or down sizing to one certified librarian and one clerk regardless of school size.
• Program expectations remain the same in all schools where downsizing took place.
• Major budget reductions at campus level for next year
• District budget bib services cut 57% and district media cut 47%
• As “other” districts search for budget solutions they see down sizing of the library department as a solution
• Certified librarian can teach both library and technology skills however our replacement … the clerk can not and should not
• Library skills are being viewed something “anyone” can teach we just need someone who is tech savy
• Award winning school library programs are cutting certified librarian positions

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