[aisle] Are there still middle school libraries?

[Tasha Squires]

Middle School Librarian here. I am starting my 14th year, after being a
Young Adult librarian in a public library.

That sounds awful. Is the public library next door to the school? Do all
the students going to the school live in the library district? Because many
times there are unincorporated areas that the public library won't serve.
If that is the case, a family has to buy a public library card for the
amount that others pay in taxes and many won't. How will students get to
the public library?

Cutting off the middle school library is a horrible idea. Just when we
statistically see students begin to lose interest in reading is the worst
time to stop supporting them and giving them the opportunity to build their
skills and enjoyment for reading.

Find all the resources you can and maybe try to help your administrator to
brainstorm some ideas for creating new spaces for classrooms. Gutting the
library and getting rid of it is not the solution. It will send the school
into a downward spiral as research has shown time and again.

Good luck. :( I'm sorry you are facing this.
Tasha


On Tue, Aug 23, 2022 at 3:46 PM Kleckner, Stephanie via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Hi friends!
> I was told that this is highly likely the last year for our middle school
> library. My principal said that she needs the space and wants to turn it
> into 2 classrooms. She said she asked around our area and a lot of middle
> schools don't have "library time" anymore. She also stated that they would
> divide all the library books between the classrooms and encourage students
> to go to the public library. So, are middle school libraries still a thing?
> How many of you have thriving middle school libraries?
> Thanks!
> Stephanie Kleckner
> Library Media Teacher
> Mendota Dist. #289
>
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-- 
Tasha Squires
O'Neill Middle School
School Librarian
tsquires at dg58.org
(630) 719-5815

Author of Library Partnerships: Making Connections Between School and
Public Libraries, 2009, Information Today, Inc.
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