TARGET: Charter Schools & Libraries

[Neva Voelkert <Neva_Voelkert@ABSS.K12.NC.US>]

Fellow School Librarians
When the North Carolina State Legislature began the notion of Charter Schools
and began funding it they made no requirements or recommendations for school
libraries.  Some of these schools are using public libraries for check-out
purposes and expecting the public library to be their school library.  This
causes several major problems.  I am serving on a committee for NCLA which is
looking at this situation and drafting a resolution for NCLA.  I would love to
hear from you!

The problem is that some of the charter schools have actually asked the public
libraries in their neighborhoods to cancel story time for their 4 year olds
because it interferes  with their classes and when they want to come to the
library.  This has caused some friction.

Also the public librarians are not trained to teach classes in library research
skills as school librarians are taught.  In several instances the schools have
complained about the fact that they do not teach classes.  Other schools have
not complained but the public librarians feel that the students are missing
vital research instruction.

Another problem exists when a school's students live outside the county of the
public library.  The students and their parents are told to get public library
cards only to find out that they have to pay a fee since they live outside the
county.  The parents complain to the public library about this although their
policies are set by county governments and boards.

These are just a few of the problems which have arisen.

I'm curious if other states have problems relating to school library facilities
being provided.

I will send a copy of the draft resolution on which we are working.  Thank you
in advance for your input.

Neva D. Voelkert
Library Media Specialist
Broadview Middle School
neva_voelkert@abss.k12.nc.us

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