What Does School Without Librarians Mean for Students?
Eliminating school librarian positions across the United States raises concerns about the impact on students' literacy, research skills, and overall academic success. A multi-state survey indicated that over 10% of K-12 educational leaders view librarians as outdated, significantly reducing librarian roles in districts like Philadelphia and Houston. The decline in certified school librarians may hinder students from achieving key academic benchmarks, as librarians historically contribute to nurturing essential skills for reading proficiency and college and career readiness.
Research consistently shows that students in schools with full-time professional librarians and well-resourced libraries perform better in reading and literacy. Librarians play a crucial role in fostering a love for reading, collaborating with teachers on skill-building projects, and creating engaging learning environments. School libraries are evolving into collaborative spaces that support deep thinking and motivation rather than just quiet areas for book storage. The evolving role of librarians is critical to student learning, suggesting that their diminishing numbers could harm student literacy and educational outcomes.
Click here for the resource.
