Why do we need School Librarians?

This blog post serves as a sort-of follow up to my recent post, “The Unemployed Librarian.”  An important factor leading to the lay-offs of librarians, both in schools and in public libraries, is the sentiment that anyone who kind of, sort of, likes books, can be a librarian.

I stumbled across this blog on The Atlantic’s site: What People Don't Get About Working in a Library, illustrating 4 “myths” about library work and the common refrain: “This job requires a Master’s degree for a reason.”

Here they are (though, I’m sure, not inclusive):

The Librarian #1
"We are not mere cart pushers. This job requires a Masters degree for a reason."

The Librarian #2
"I am an aggregator, a citation machine, a curator, a specialist."

The Librarian #3
"I am not your doormat. Make your own copies."

The Librarian #4
"I am not a babysitter for teachers' planning periods."

The biggest issue that I see, and hear, from school librarians is #4. School librarians, IF a school has a librarian, are often seen as indispensable teacher substitutes, asked to cover classes, set up everyone’s computers when they have no idea how to log in to the network, etc. And, I’ve said it before:  the predicament of schools having no librarian at all began in the 70’s and 80’s during the first few rounds of urban school budget cuts – because – “well, teachers can teach the kids how to read,” “why do we need librarians to just stay in the library?,” and “the kids can just go to the library and get the books they want without help.”

If you’ve ever worked in a school, you know those are stupid things to say. 

- They teach students how to conduct research.

- They often teach students how to use computers.

- They help students find specific books that will turn them into eager, life-long readers. (I know. My elementary school librarian told me to read “Zlata’s Diary” and it set me off on a reading frenzy about diaries and biographies.)

- They monitor the library environment and ensure student safety. 

- They keep track of books checked in, checked out, lost, missing, ripped, torn, etc. 

- They research and purchase new books based on teacher needs, student wants, and current events.

When there’s no school librarian… these things don’t get done.