Library

I have to write a summary of an article called "Room for Readers" from the NEA magazine. It’s about how school libraries are losing ground and having to turn their libraries into carts, although research has proven that libraries and resourceful librarians improve student achievement. So the main thing I have to do, besides summarizing this article, is apply a philosophy, i.e. idealism, realism, etc., or an educational theory to this. Please help me out.

I read the article that you are referring to. Research has demonstrated that students achieve more in schools with libraries staffed by library professionals. Nevertheless, a well-staffed and equipped school library is vulnerable when facilities and/or funds are limited in a school district. I think this is an example of pragmatism on the part of the school board and administration. When funds and resources are limited, the school library often appears at or near the top of the list of things that they think they can do without. If enrollment is increasing (but the building size isn’t) they see the need for a classroom so "let’s take the library". Or, they need to cut the budget and maybe cut staff, so "let’s lay off the certified librarian and hire a clerk or an aide at 1/3 the cost". This is what is happening. It’s also happening to guidance counselors, art and music programs, school nurses, and even to sports programs (believe it or not!).

This entry was posted on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 4:06 am and is filed under libraries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.