Carol Dinges
Lebanon Public library
Why are School Libraries Important?
As a public librarian, I want to emphasize that the public library cannot replace a school library, and while public librarians do a great job of helping children find just the right book or resource, we cannot provide the in-depth information literacy instruction that a certified teacher-librarian does. Information literacy is an essential component of 21st century education, and failure to emphasize it in our schools puts our children and our nation at serious risk of falling behind other developed nations.
For the first time we are seeing strong language protecting School Libraries in national education policy. ESEA is up for a vote and this bill will be CRUCIAL to the future of school libraries, a section of the profession that has been under assault for decades. An Assault on One is an Assault on ALL. Stand up for School Libraries in America TODAY!
Find your Elected Official in the House
- Contact your Representative to let them know how essential this bill is to our children’s education and futures.
- Contact absolutely everyone you know and ask them to do the same thing.
Talking points
- Vote Yes on the Every Student Succeeds Act Conference Report.
- School libraries are critical to our children’s future and the Conference Report includes critical language to support effective school library programs.
This language is historic: For the first time in half a century Congress has underscored the importance of effective school library programs by expressly including them in multiple parts of this watershed reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Join the movement to protect school libraries and call Congress today.