Raising money for libraries

[Norma Dreyer <EDUC_ND@VAX1.UTULSA.EDU>]

This issue has risen before.....Every time, it raises my hackles.  WHY do we,
as professional librarian/teachers, have to raise funds for an institution
which is CENTRAL to the mission and the credibility and the soul of a school?
If I had wanted to go into merchandising, I would have long ago sought a
career with Walmart.  Nevertheless I sell notebook paper, pencils, pens, and
typing paper, and charge for photocopying and printouts.  Why?  Because I need
additional money to purchase resources for my library because I am allocated
from the District about $1.00 per student.  (Gasp!)  And in my "spare" time,
I write grant proposals which fortunately have been mostly successful.

My concern is that the school districts of this nation, if the comments I see
on this listserv are any indication, have NO conception of what the information
age is all about.  Or where the living heart of a school is located.

Well, I have ventilated.  And feel somewhat better.  And tomorrow I will go back
to selling school supplies and services because it matters to me what kind of
materials and resources I provide for my kids - MOST of which are free.

Norma Dreyer
Edison High School
Tulsa, OK
educ_nd@vax1.utulsa.edu