Saving jobs (letter)

[Union-Endicott Central School District <libser1@TRANSIT.NYSER.NET>]

Again, I offer a letter for you to lift parts or entirety.   I cannot
tell you, (because most of you know), how disheartening it is to sit here
in the wee hours and write letters to save jobs....  In this situation,
instead of eliminating all five elementary positions, the board is
reinstating one position to cover all five schools.

Enough said.   Use if you like, where it will do the most good.

Gail Dickinson
Union-Endicott Central School District
Endicott, NY 13760                      "the feeling remains even after
                                        the glitter fades" -- Stevie Nicks

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Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXX (BOARD PRESIDENT)

Some time ago I wrote to you regarding the proposed elimination of
elementary school library media specialists in the XXXXXX Central School
District. It has now come to my attention that the latest draft of the
budget has reinstated one elementary library media specialist for the five
schools, and that this person would travel among the schools.

My presidential theme is "Librarians Make it Happen", and it is from that
theme that I draw my perspective.  Take any of the library slogans that are
currently in vogue, "Kids who read.....Succeed"; "Libraries Change Lives";
and while they are very true, it is indeed the librarians who make it happen
in our schools and libraries.

The role of the elementary library media specialist is to teach the
information curriculum.  It begins with literacy and the love of reading,
for that is the cornerstone of academic achievement.   It also starts with
the very first time a school library media specialist holds a book in front
of a child and repeats the author's name, for that is the first step in
information skills instruction.

The instruction continues with the use of reference books and databases,
with CD-ROMS, automated library catalogs, accessing books, magazines, and
electronic sources of increasingly complexity.  The instruction continues
with the identification of valid sources, with Internet access, and with the
blending of information skills with classroom content.   The school library
media specialist is the catalyst for academic achievement in the school,
working with the classroom teacher to teach information skills,
strengthening classroom content, and providing access to information
resources for the entire school community.

Who will teach the information curriculum in the XXXXXX elementary schools?
How far behind will the middle and high school students be, struggling to
catch up with their peers in surrounding districts who have had access to
information skills instruction since kindergarten.  We often talk about
preparing for the citizens of the next century, but in fact, children born
today will live not only into the next century, but most likely the
following one as well.  All we know about the future is that information
skills will continue to be the most important skill in that highly
competitive world.    Who will teach the information skills curriculum to
the citizens of that century in the XXXXXX schools of this one?  The impact
of what you do in the next few months is far-reaching, indeed.

One librarian for five elementary schools can do some things.  Most likely,
the same group of books and materials will be selected for purchase for each
school.   Although there would normally be some duplication, having exact
collections means that no longer could the individual needs of the students
and school community be met.  As time went on, this generic collection would
get farther and farther away from the ideal unique collection.

If the clerical support staff have been in these same schools for many years
and been well-trained by the librarians, books will still flow in and out,
but circulation will decrease as reading guidance; that special matching of
the right book for the right child, will cease.  The school library media
specialist will no longer know each child enough to suggest that one book
that will turn that child on to being a lifelong reader.  Any turnover of
clerical staff will pose severe problems, since training in library
procedures is detailed and complex.

I have noted the lack of information skills instruction in this situation.
One library media specialist for five schools means that he/she will be in
each school one day each week.  How many classes/students/teachers/parents
is it possible for this person to deal with, even perfunctorily, in one day.
If each teacher in each school only contacted the library media specialist
once each week, the library media specialist would have 150 messages to
answer.  If the library media specialist packed as many classes into the
library for information skills instruction as possible, he/she would see
each class one period each month, or about nine times each year.   Take the
total number of possible instructional minutes in the year, divide by the
total number of students, and you will find that each child will have less
than one hour each year of the information professional's time.

One library media specialist for five schools can organize the collections
and make selections for purchase.  He/She can perform some minimal
communications with administrators and teachers to inform them of resources
and the types of information skills that their students should learn.   This
communication and organization can not make up for the lack of instructional
time with students, but it would be better than none at all.

A library without a librarian is a classroom without a teacher.  Your
children will need every opportunity, every advantage, to succeed in the
next century.  Take time to make sure that you have all of the information
before finalizing the decision to eliminate any of these positions.   Make
sure that you have the information from people who know libraries and have
experience with the information curriculums of school library media centers.

This letter is most likely far too long, and I apologize for its length.  I
again offer my assistance to you in this matter.  I know nothing of
politics, finances, or the other matters that swirl around public education.
All that I can offer you is my perspective on children and libraries, and I
again offer to come to XXXXXX at my organization's expense to answer
questions and provide a more detailed perspective.   I encourage your
positive response.
                                    Sincerely,


c Superintendent
  Board Members
  PTO Presidents                    Gail Dickinson