Gen: LA Times article: school library

[Lisa Handelman <lisahandelman@ADATARIEL.ORG>]

Hi all:

Interesting article in yesterday's LA Times about the opening of a new
school library in Woodland Hills, CA, at an elementary school.  Part of
it is quoted here:

"The $55,000 library renovation, which doubled its size, provides an
ampitheater area where teachers may read to their students, and quiet
corners for peaceful reading.....

The Wonder of Reading, a local organization, provided $20,000 for the
project and oversaw the monthlong renovation.  The non-profit group
refurbishes L.A. Unified elementary school libraries that receive
inadequate funding for such improvements.  In four years, the group has
renovated 23 LAUSD elementary school libraries.

Woodlake School raised $35,000 through donations from local businesses
and benefits, and new books were purchased with $10,000 of the funds.
Increased library space also will provide more room for Friday night
pajama parties for parents and children.  The refurbishing coincides
with increased library hours for mentors who read to children.

....the library, unchanged since 1953, needed to grow to accommodate the
school's 680 students."


Lovely, right?  My two comments:

1.  Sad that LAUSD must now rely on private non-profit do-gooders to
refurbish a library that has been unchanged since 1953.

2.  LAUSD did not bother to hire a full time librarian to keep up and
administer this  brand new library collection for 680 students.  The
technician there now who has been running things works 3 hours a day.


Signing off happily from a private school,

Lisa Handelman
Librarian
Adat Ari El Day School
N. Hollywood, CA

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