The Demise of School Libraries?

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School libraries as they used to exist are on the decline and funding for any form of school library is low. In the district where I work, most library collections are old, out of date, and the librarians are not required to possess a Library Tech Certificate or any other credential - and most of them don’t. There are many reasons for the neglect of the libraries; among them are lack of funding, support, and cohesive vision.

When completing my collection development project, I discovered that the library I was volunteering at, in fact, none of the libraries in the district, had a mission statement or a collection development policy. My supervisor believed this lack came from the libraries being an overlooked part of the district educational services. Despite the lack of district wide vision, the individual librarians are doing a wonderful job of making the library an inviting and interesting place for students to congregate, and the amount of students in the library indicates an ongoing interest. The formation of a district policy would provide school librarians with a policy with which to reassure and reference when faced with parents who object to library content. Having a policy and a mission statement would also create a position of unity and vision which could be presented to the district as a whole and help make the library a vital part of the educational community in the district.

School libraries still have a vital purpose, but it is a changing one in the school environment. School libraries, instead of being the physical home of books - needs to evolve into a more research oriented space. Much like academic libraries at colleges and universities, the collection, services, and focus of a school library needs to shift if they are to survive. A library can offer a place for students to pursue greater learning and understanding of material. A place to learn technical skills, work on homework, research for papers and projects, and provide a space for groups of students to meet for school work and for leisure.

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