Library Build is Now a Tax Exempt Nonprofit Organization!

We found out today that the IRS has officially declared Library Build, Inc to be 501(c)(3) tax exempt! We are now fully recognized as a public charity.

We were shocked to receive the determination letter so soon, we had been warned that it might take as long as 8 months, but were hopeful that we would receive it before the end of 2010. To receive our letter and status in 2 months might be a record!

Please look forward to another official announcement coming from Library Build in the next few weeks!

The lost opportunity of school libraries

A friend recently sent Jeff and I an article in the BBC about a report on school libraries in Britain. The School Library Commission released a report arguing that many schools waste the potential of their school libraries by: 1) not having library staff who have knowledge of children's literature (I would include Young Adult literature in that as well); 2) not having a clear designation within the school of who is in charge of the library; 3) not having library staff who routinely work with teachers to create holistic lessons and activities; and 4) not promoting the resources of their school libraries.

These are all issues that we at Library Build have been working to answer and plan for. A key compenent of our plan from day 1 has been that there needs to be multiple librarians who are the face of the library to teachers, administrators, parents, and most importantly to students; and that these librarians work closely with teachers to devise lesson plans and to create a cohesive learning environment within the school.

As the head of the School Library Commission stated, "[school libraries] have to be more than just places with books."

School libraries are an opportunity to provide the books, resources, and learning environments necessary for the success of our students.

Check out the article in the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11304759
Check out the British Literacy Trusts' site: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/policy/nlt_policy/school_library_commission

Why cant U teach me 2 read?

I recently finished a book by Beth Fertig, “Why cant U teach me 2 read?” about three students from New York City schools who sue the school district over “educational neglect” (or as its also sometimes called, “compensatory education”).  All three had been in the NYC public school system for the majority of their lives, and yet none of them had learned how to read (one had even graduated from high school!). Their stories also serve as a parallel to Fertig’s dissection of Mayor Bloomberg’s takeover of the school system, and his appointment of Joe Klein to be the Chancellor of NYC Schools in 2002.

            Yamilka, Alejandro, and Antonio all struggled early on in their lives with low comprehension problems – either as a result of their parents not speaking English fluently, or growing up impoverished. All three were regularly transferred between public schools (Yamilka was transferred between NYC schools 12 times). Once a school discovered the depth of the learning problems, most would rather transfer each one out than deal with the problem – because low performers pull down test scores (this is especially important now with No Child Left Behind, though as Fertig uncovers, schools in NYC are not allowed to transfer their students anymore). Because Yamilka, Alejandro, and Antonio each struggle they are also each in turn labeled as mentally disabled – an unfair label for kids who are just struggling to read, or who have minor learning disabilities.

Their stories bring up important questions. How does our public school system account for slow learners, or students with learning disabilities? Similarly, do school districts have an obligation to ensure that every student can read at a functional level?

Obviously, Library Build believes that with the right tools – libraries – combined with great schools, and great teachers, that all students can read. Ultimately there shouldn't be stories and books about kids who have to sue their public school districts in order to get intensive private tutoring to learn how to read.

There's a lot more in Fertig's book about different methods for teaching literacy as well as a long history and discussion about Klein's job as Chancellor of the NYC School District, so if you're interested, check it out!

Here’s a short interview with Beth Fertig about “Why cant U teach me 2 read?”: http://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2009-10-15-readbook15_VA_U.htm?csp=outbrain&csp=obnetwork

Here’s a short article on USA Today about one of the boys from the book: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-14-illiteracy_N.htm

Thoughts on Education and Equality

Currently, I am about half way done reading David McCullough's biography of John Adams. According to McCullough, Adams was a staunch advocate for public education. McCullough writes, "Finally and emphatically, he [Adams] urged the widest possible support for eduction." McCullough then quotes from Adams influential work,Thoughts on Government, "'Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are so extremely wise and useful that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant'" (103).

Adams had it right over 200 years ago. Education is a pillar of society and a great equalizer. As Adams argued, people are not born equal (Adams differed from Jefferson and others on this point - he understood that birth is a 'lottery' - rich, poor, 'lucky', 'unlucky'), but that people should be treated equally and given equal opportunity. McCullough writes on page 224 that, "He [Adams] did not believe all men were created equal, except in the eyes of God, but that all men, for all their many obvious differences, were born to equal rights." Adams felt that one of those rights ought to be to a public education - and in particular equal access to an education.

No matter what you think of the role, significance and responsibilities of teachers, parents, school administrators and students themselves - Don't all of our children deserve to have an equal opportunity to learn? Don't all of our children deserve access to the tools that will help them learn?

We strongly believe that all children deserve equal access to a quality education and we desperately want to help give every student the tools that will enable them to learn!

Camden Libraries

It seems to be a recurring theme: budget cuts leading to discontinued services. Unfortunately, in our area, this has greatly affected libraries. Recently, the City of Camden announced the closure of one of its three public libraries. The other two will be taken over by the County of Camden. The reason: Camden faces a $28 million budget deficit. Worst of all, this closure will affect those who can least afford it. The library to be closed is in an already declining neighborhood, called Fairview, which the Philadelphia Inquirer describes as a "low-income neighborhood." The library is a vital resource for the Freedom Charter School which is across the street and the many out-of-work neighborhood residents who do not have home internet access. Additionally, the Inquirer adds that, "After school and in summertime, the library is flooded with teenagers and children who use the library's books and computers for their schoolwork, or to check out web sites and e-mail their friends."

School libraries are facing similar budgetary pressures. Libraries play a vital role in education and quality of life for all residents - rich, poor, Latino, Asian, etc. Sadly, when library doors close, however, it's low income Americans who suffer most as they are not as easily able to turn to alternative sources for books, computer and internet access and tutoring.

You can read about the Camden library closure here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100907_Its_The_End_for_another_Camden_library.html

You can read about the Camden County library takeover here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100809_Camden_libraries_win_reprieve.html

The Lottery

Last weekend Jeff and I watched the documentary “The Lottery” about the charter school movement. The title of the documentary refers to the fact that in order to be fair (as publicly funded schools), charters must have lotteries every year to determine incoming classes. In this way they cannot discriminate based on sex, gender, religion, learning needs or disabilities.


While the film never mentions libraries (though perhaps it should!), Library Build is dedicated to a general reform of America’s education system.

Here are some facts from the film:

Fact #1: The average black or Latino 12th grader reads at the same level as the average white 8th grader.

Fact #2: 58% of black fourth graders are functionally illiterate.

Fact # 3: The achievement gap between low income students and their higher income peers costs the US $500 billion a year.

Fact # 4: About 50% of students in low-income communities will not graduate from high school by the time they are 18.

Fact #5: 1 in every 8 black males between the ages of 25 and 29 is incarcerated.



Facts number 1 and 2 speak directly to why Library Build is dedicated to creating school libraries in America’s public schools. 58% of black fourth graders in this country are functionally illiterate – meaning they cannot read basic texts and cannot write legibly, and through our own research we know too that if a child cannot read by the time he or she is in the third grade, his or her chances of ever becoming literate plummet.

It’s obvious that schools of any kind – private, public, charter, Catholic, etc – need to provide their students with the resources necessary to learn, and we consider a library to be one of those main and most important resources.

Check out the website for the documentary at www.thelotteryfilm.com. We highly recommend seeing this documentary!