Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Speaking Out in Support of School Librarians

Link to March 11 Daily Union online article, "Jefferson librarians supported".

Excerpt: The School District of Jefferson Board of Education took no official action Monday on the 2009-10 budget, but members did hear from several staff and community members, as well as continuing discussion among themselves.

The majority of speakers during Monday's public comment period came before the school board to address the proposed reduction of 2.5 full-time certified library specialist positions.

If made, that cut will leave the Jefferson schools with only one certified library staff member for the district, plus one to two library paraprofessionals (aides) at each school.

Cheryl Kenders, library/media specialist at the high school, said that the current certified library staff services a population of 1,900 students plus 200-some staff members. Certified library staff, unlike aides, are involved in direct teaching of students as well as training other teachers and library media specialists in use of technology and other research materials.

"There is a great difference between what a library media specialist does and what a library paraprofessional does," Kenders said.

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