[Publib] [alacoun] Sec. Duncan says school administrators should protect funding for libraries

[James Casey]

Hi Emily,

School Libraries are not the only factors in this equation.

What about public library funding?  When public library funding is slashed as deeply as it has been across the country, are there no ramifications for the quality of k-12 education?   Even when school libraries survive the budget cuts, they are not open on late afternoons, evenings and weekends to help the youngsters who need to complete homework assignments.   Public libraries have fulfilled this function for kids from the k-12 grades for decades --- and also for many folks in higher education (but at least the colleges and universities generally provide comprehensive library service to support their curriculum while the k-12 do not).

When will k-12 education begin to recognize the essential contribution made by public libraries to formal education as well as life-long learning?

James B. Casey - Councilor-at-Large


From: Diedre Conkling [mailto:diedre08 at gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:51 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org; libs-or; ALA Council
Subject: [alacoun] Sec. Duncan says school administrators should protect funding for libraries

Sec. Duncan says school administrators should protect funding for libraries <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4006>
November 09th, 2009 | Category: OGR<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?cat=17>, School Libraries<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?cat=11>

The US Chamber of Commerce hosted the Institute of Competitive Workforce's Education and Workforce Summit 2009 today.  US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave the Opening Address and talked about the needs of our education system and why Race to the Top will be so important. Race to the Top Fund is a competitive one-time grant program funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that aims to encourage and reward states that are leading education innovation and reform.

I asked him how he could use the information literacy specialists - the school librarians - to address perceived needs.  His answer was sort of vague platitudes, so I followed up asking him again what he will specifically do.  He said that he needs to make sure that school administrators don't cut school librarians or funds for school libraries.

We heartily agree.

Emily Sheketoff<mailto:esheketoff at alawash.org>
Executive Director
ALA Washington Office

http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4006


--
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR  97365
Work phone & fax:  541-265-3066
Work email:  diedre at beachbooks.org<mailto:diedre at beachbooks.org>
Home email:  diedre08 at gmail.com<mailto:diedre08 at gmail.com>
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