[aisle] Elimination of Full-Time Librarian In Our Two-School District

Wed Apr 6 13:23:37 CDT 2022

Over the last 15 years, we also have been through reductions of certified
library staff and outsourcing of support staff (thankfully, outsourcing was
reversed in most areas). I strongly advocate for librarian involvement in
all levels of school union work. Both of the certified librarians in D219
sit on the union executive board. It's another way of making sure your
voice is heard. After our reductions, we were able to get language into our
contract to ensure there is at least one certified librarian at each school.

Here is our contract language regarding librarians:

Section 8. LIBRARIANS

A. Library hours shall be scheduled in consultation with the library staff
as needed in each  division.

B. Policies regarding the use of library facilities and materials shall be
developed in  consultation with the library staff.
                           C. Librarians shall be involved in curriculum
planning in the areas of their specialization.

D. The libraries at Niles North and Niles West shall be staffed by no fewer
than one (1)  licensed librarian per building.

Hoping your outcome is favorable,
Bev
Beverly Zbinden
Head Librarian @ Niles North High School
(847)626-2183
*Pronouns: she/her/hers*

"What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it thinks
about education."
  - Harold Howe, former U.S. Commissioner of Education

On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 10:21 AM Joni Darby via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Karrie,
>
> We finally have a surplus of funds in our district that our negotiation
> committee looked into this year before negotiation meetings began. You may
> try to find your district's financials as this is public information. I am
> not sure where they looked though, but I could try to find out. Maybe
> someone else knows where to find this.
>
>
>
> Joni Darby
>
> Shepherd Middle School
> Library Information Specialist
> Ottawa Elementary 141
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 10:11 AM Mary Richars via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> Katie - sometimes the strongest message comes from the smallest voice.
>> This article is an example of how the students - that would
>> be most harmed by the elimination of their librarian - took a stand and
>> made their voices heard.
>>
>>
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/12/16/how-students-reacted-when-their-beloved-school-librarian-was-let-go/
>>
>> On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 10:03 AM Karrie Fisher via AISLE <
>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Robin and Other Supporters,
>>>
>>> Thank you so very much for your offer to come and support us!  I would
>>> love it!  I was thinking AISLE should have a committee that advocates for
>>> librarians to BOEs since so many of us seem to be facing the elimination of
>>> our jobs.  Wouldn't it be great if a group of us wrote letters on behalf of
>>> librarians who are losing their jobs and sent them to all the BOEs that are
>>> eliminating them?  I certainly see this situation from a different lens and
>>> would be more than happy to write letters and attend BOE meetings that are
>>> close by.
>>>
>>> We plan on attending the board meeting and making a statement.  I'm
>>> hoping our teachers also write letters or show up because so many of them
>>> are angry and upset.
>>>
>>> Our board meetings are public.  In addition to giving people a platform
>>> to talk, they also read letters publicly that are written to the board.  If
>>> anyone is interested, here are the details:
>>>
>>> Date:  April 19
>>> Time: 7:00 p.m.
>>> Location: 2055 Landwehr Road, Northbrook, IL
>>> Room:  LIBRARY (Ironically)
>>> Contact:  All inquiries or questions for the District 31 Board of
>>> Education can be sent to d31board at district31.net.
>>> Board Members: https://www.district31.net/domain/139  NOTE: Most of our
>>> board members are parents of students I teach!
>>>
>>> Thank you to anyone who is willing to write a letter on my behalf or
>>> attend the meeting.  I will happily return the favor!
>>>
>>> Happily Ever After,
>>> Karrie Fisher, Library Media Specialist
>>> [image: Bitmoji Image]
>>> *Winkelman Library Resources: Click HERE
>>> <http://district31.follettdestiny.com/> for the Card Catalog!*
>>>
>>> Winkelman School * 1919 Landwehr Road * Glenview, IL  60026
>>> 847-729-5650 * Fax 847-729-5654
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 9:26 AM Katie Nelson via AISLE <
>>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Karrie,
>>>> If you think it would be appropriate - I work at a school that has two
>>>> Winkelman School parents.  Would you mind if I shared the situation with
>>>> these teachers?  Oftentimes I feel like the public doesn't realize what is
>>>> happening until it is too late.
>>>> Let me know,
>>>> Katie
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 9:16 AM Strom, Pamela M via AISLE <
>>>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Karrie,
>>>>>
>>>>> Good luck at the board meeting.  Yes, unfortunately, this does seem to
>>>>> be an "easy" cost saving measure that administrators can take and you are
>>>>> far from alone.  It is so unfortunate when we watch the news and see book
>>>>> challenges etc., that have an impact on our most vulnerable students.
>>>>> Often times the librarian is the person in the building who knows about
>>>>> these students and who has cultivated relationships with them.  The library
>>>>> is where they feel safest.  If they think getting rid of a librarian
>>>>> position will not be noticed, they are sadly mistaken.
>>>>>
>>>>> Pam Strom,
>>>>> New Trier High School
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>> *From:* AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> on behalf of
>>>>> Christie C via AISLE <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>>>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 6, 2022 7:38 AM
>>>>> *To:* AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators
>>>>> discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>>>>> *Cc:* Christie C <christiechandlerstahl at gmail.com>
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [aisle] Elimination of Full-Time Librarian In Our
>>>>> Two-School District
>>>>>
>>>>> CAUTION EXTERNAL EMAIL: This email originated outside of the
>>>>> district's network. Do not open attachments or click links unless you are
>>>>> certain this email comes from a trusted sender.
>>>>> Karrie,
>>>>> I am stunned to read this. You have done so much to transform your
>>>>> school’s library and to bring such high quality lessons and lit discussions
>>>>> to the students. I’m glad this group has provided you with some great
>>>>> advocacy tools. I wish you all the best as you go forward.
>>>>> Am thinking of you.
>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>> Christie
>>>>>
>>>>> Christie Chandler-Stahl
>>>>> Resource Center Director
>>>>> Greeley School - Winnetka District #36
>>>>> Christiechandler at winnetka36.org
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Apr 4, 2022 at 11:20 AM Karrie Fisher via AISLE <
>>>>> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I am a full-time librarian in District 31, Glenview, a two-school
>>>>> district.  I am in the K-5 building.  We have a full-time librarian in our
>>>>> middle school. We are a suburb located north of Chicago.
>>>>>
>>>>> We were told that next year library classes will *no longer be part
>>>>> of the schedule*, and we will have ONE full-time librarian and one
>>>>> full-time assistant for both buildings.  The librarian (our MS librarian)
>>>>> will travel between the two buildings, as will the assistant.
>>>>>
>>>>> The eliminated librarian -- me (K-5) -- will be reassigned to a
>>>>> classroom teacher position.
>>>>>
>>>>> To fight for our students and our library programs, we are gathering
>>>>> information and research that we will present to our superintendent,
>>>>> principals, and BOE.  I know this has happened in other school districts.
>>>>> Does anyone have any specific research or antidotes that we could share?
>>>>> Has anyone successfully fought for their full-time librarians, students,
>>>>> and programs, and gotten a decision reversed?
>>>>>
>>>>> Any help we can get will be greatly appreciated by us!  Our BOE
>>>>> meeting is April 19.
>>>>>
>>>>> Happily Ever After,
>>>>> Karrie Fisher, Library Media Specialist
>>>>> [image: Bitmoji Image]
>>>>> *Winkelman Library Resources: Click HERE
>>>>> <http://district31.follettdestiny.com/> for the Card Catalog!*
>>>>>
>>>>> Winkelman School * 1919 Landwehr Road *
>>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/919+Landwehr+Road+*%C2%A0+Glenview,+IL%C2%A0+60026?entry=gmail&source=g>Glenview,
>>>>> IL  60026
>>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/919+Landwehr+Road+*%C2%A0+Glenview,+IL%C2%A0+60026?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>>> 847-729-5650 * Fax 847-729-5654
>>>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> AISLE mailing list
>>>>> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
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>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.aisled.org/
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> *Christie*
>>>>>
>>>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> AISLE at list.railslibraries.info
>>>>>
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>>>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
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>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.aisled.org/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tech Support Help Desk:
>>>>
>>>>    - help at winnetka36.org
>>>>
>>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>>
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