Certification versus No Certification?

Over the course of developing Library Build from an idea into an actual nonprofit organization, I have faced a great deal of criticism from librarians who say a variety of things including: "You can't possibly put in people who aren't certified as librarians," or "You will just be taking away the jobs of real librarians," or "Librarians without certification will not serve any great purpose in a library."

So, here we go.

Most of the libraries in Philadelphia's public schools are closed. They have no one in them who manages the collection, no one who monitors what books go in and out. There is no one who runs book clubs, no one who teaches kids how to use technology.

The library at Rowen School is kept locked because it is that useless to the administration without a librarian.

Point One: Is it better for the library to remain closed, than it is for an un-certified librarian to be in the library?


All other organizations that I have read or learned about in the course of my research that do the similar work of renovating libraries either do not put in any supports afterwards, or put in part-time, community volunteers.
A large, corporate foundation renovates libraries, but does not recruit or put in volunteers or librarians. Their work is to put in the books and make it pretty. They then leave the community and the school to use it as they wish. This is why so many of Philadelphia's public school libraries are abandoned now. Because without someone in the library full time to manage it and update it, it becomes useless.

Similarly, other organizations will renovate school libraries and will then place part-time volunteers into the library. Obviously, this is better than nothing, but these volunteers are not trained, and are not there full-time, dedicated to the students.

Point Two: Would you rather have a part time volunteer, or would you rather have someone in the library all day who has received training and is there to serve as a librarian for the entire school year? 


As public school districts across the United States continue to face budget cuts and budget crises, they will continue to lay off their workers. Most recently here in Philadelphia, they laid off a great number of teachers. But guess who went long before the teachers? That's right, librarians. Why? Because ten to fifteen years ago when budget problems began arising in urban districts, they started getting rid of the people they felt they could most do without. They need teachers, so librarians and similar staff (music programs for one), got laid off.

That was more than ten years ago. This is why Philly's libraries are empty.

Point Three: Library Build is in no way taking jobs from librarians. There are very few librarians in Philadelphia! Once we renovate Rowen's library, we will place a trained librarian into the library. The School District is not magically going to come up with the budget to hire a full-time, certified librarian just because we put in the library. That is wishful, and dangerous thinking.


That being said, when we do actually begin to recruit Library Fellows we will consider any qualified college graduate. We will hire the most qualified applicants we get (including those with MLS degrees) who are willing to work at the salary offered.