Audio Books Budget

More budget cuts to Philadelphia's library system has resulted in a huge cut to Philadelphia's collection of audio books meant for the blind or others with vision impairments. There is a branch of the Free Library especially for the audio collection (on 8th St in Society Hill) that will now lose half its employees while most of the collection will be moving to... Pittsburgh? Apparently the state wants to consolidate its audio collection, which means that is Philadelphians want or need audio books they have to wait for up to a week to get it.

Now, waiting for a week to get a book from another location is not a huge deal. But I think this says more about whats going on with the state's education and library budgets than anything else. Over time these library budgets are just going to keep declining, as will services to those who need them. More librarians are going to be cut - seen as expendable to the process.

Yesterday the School District had to announce even more layoffs - and in light of the budget crises in this state, some cuts are good. But there continues to be the bleeding of services that are important to basic education - libraries. I'm of the opinion that we can't wait around for the state, local, or even national government to fix these problems. Because, guess what, they won't. We need a new way to solve these problems - before its too late.

Library Closings

Every once and awhile I have time to peruse the Library Journal's site. They usually have pretty great articles about whats going on with libraries and librarians across the US.

Today, two caught my eye, and both are about library systems closings. Chicago and Detroit have both been struggling with budget cuts (much like Philadelphia), and had to make the difficult decision to shutter branches.

In Detroit, the shutting of 4 branches was actually decided by the library system, in order to preserve its current staff of librarians who had been working in mulitple locations and with longer hours in order to keep the branches open after layoffs. Luckily, the new closures won't result in new layoffs.

But in Chicago, the budget for the library system was reduced by $8 million, which will lead to about 180 layoffs - a pretty big number.

It's pretty amazing the amount and size of layoffs in the teaching and librarianship sectors recently. Unfortunately, librarians aren't seen as "necessary" like teachers are, and their axed positions rarely come back (much unlike teaching positions). That's part of the struggle in Philadelphia right now - librarians were laid off in the 70's and 80's, but they were never recalled, leading to the problems we see today in Philadelphia's school libraries.

Unfortunately, the budget crises in most cities means that school librarians, and shuttered library branches won't be coming back any time soon. City governments aren't suddenly going to see the value in the school libraries, or be able to generate funds from mid-air for their creation.

So what can we do about it? This is a question that I'm still mulling, but here are some initial thoughts:

1. Hold book drives for a local school.
2. Contact private or charter school librarians to see if they have extra books.
3. Contact local library branches about extra books.
4. Create a "Friends of xxx School Library" much the same way that organizations supporting library branches have been created.


Changing these problems just requires someone - anyone - to get involved.

The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush

I spent the morning at The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush. The principal there invited me to come by and see the school and their library space.

I had looked at their website before going, but I didn't really know much about the school.

Here's a rundown:

- Benjamin Rush School used to be a middle school, but it was shut down, and the School District began a multi-million dollar renovation of it.

- In 2008 it opened as The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.

- It is a college prep high school, and a site select (not a neighborhood school), so students from all over Philadelphia can apply in the 8th grade to attend Rush.

- This is the first year that they have a senior class, because they have added a grade each year since 2008.

The school is beautiful. Here's the entrance (with Halloween decorations):

But, then there's the library:

New furniture and bookcases.

It's beautiful too! It was fully renovated and refurbished. The District put in beautiful book shelves and furniture, and brand new carpet, when the renovation was complete.


But, true District-style, what did they not give The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush?

Empty.

Books. 



The shelves are empty. The principal has very little budget for the school (just like all principals in this city), and has been unable to truly put a library into the school. They have been able to raise some money in the last few years to get a very small collection, and they have received book donations, but nothing that fills the space.

The beautiful librarian's desk that was put in during the renovations.

I'm trying to think of ways that Library Build can get involved with The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush. It seems like a truly great opportunity for us because the space is already beautiful, and the principal is very dedicated to getting the best for her school.

Stay tuned!

New Pictures of Rowen School's Library

I spent the day at Rowen School on Wednesday. Here are some new pictures of some of the more challenging features of Rowen's library:

This door is by the librarian's corner. It leads to a creepy basement area of the school - obviously it needs to be fixed and then locked so kids don't go through it. 

Yeah, this is nasty. 

I'm not really sure whats under the grating here. Probably pipes of some sort that need to remain accessible in case of school repairs. 

The delightful drop ceiling. Probably not much we can do about that, but this picture also illustrates the terrible lighting fixtures in the library. 

General clutter.

I sent out newsletters today to everyone who has donated to Library Build in the last year! Look for yours in the mail soon! Make sure you read the newsletter for news about our exciting new project which I will be announcing next week (after those who have donated see it - more reasons to donate!). 

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.

City Schools - No Librarian

Today in the Philadelphia Inquirer is an article about the Cook-Wissahickon School Elementary. It's a general story about public schools that can be successful, yet are facing tough times because of the School District's budget cuts and the lay-offs of hundreds of teachers (including yours truly).

But I was caught by one line on the first page: "We lost our Spanish teacher, and librarian".
Its not something that most people think of as necessary. But without a librarian, the students at this school won't be able to check books out that interest them. Their classes won't be able to make visits to the library to learn about reading, writing, or research projects (yes, even elementary students need to learn these skills!) Teachers won't be able to work with the librarian to find interesting books that go along with their curriculum. And the library will eventually become disorganized and old with misuse.

This is why we are trying to get Library Build, Inc off the ground! I am very excited by the things we have planned for Rowen Elementary's school library.

Library Impact Studies

I took some time this weekend to read "School Library Impact Studies Project" - a project of the library science program at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.
Their project was a compilation of all the other studies that have come out about the importance of school libraries, school librarians, technology, etc. But it was good to see it all in one place. Here's a general run-down of points we should all know:

1. "The most universal finding is the presence of full-time, certified school librarians and appropriate support staff who implement a quality, school-integrated program of library services."

2. Despite differing levels of poverty of students tested, a full-time librarian and library increased test scores across the board.

3. Test scores often increase in correlation with increases in library hours.

4. A librarian at a school "was the single strongest predictor of reading enjoyment for both grades 3 and 6 students."

5. Test scores especially rise when teachers and librarians collaborate together on lessons.

6. "Schools with newer collections in their libraries had higher test scores."




(All information and quotes came from "School Library Impact Studies Project," Kachel, et al. 2011. http://library.mansfield.edu/impact.asp)

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