Why California Schools “May” Have Qualified Librarians

Jaclyn Graham

Article:
Lambert, D. (2022, April 14). Where are all of California’s school librarians? EdSource. https://edsource.org/2022/where-are-all-the-school-librarians/670164

Summary: Teacher librarians have a unique role to play in the education of today's youth. Teacher librarians “positively impact student achievement at all grade levels” (Lambert 2022). They support student learning and foster curiosity. They teach information literacy, digital safety, research skills and providing quality reading materials that connect to classroom content and cater to student interest.  

But still, California schools “may appoint a librarian or librarians to staff the libraries provided they qualify as librarians.” (California Legislative Information, 1990). California schools have the option to hire and pay a qualified skilled teacher librarian or hire and pay a paraprofessional at a fraction of the cost. Because of this non obligatory California students are missing out. And with some of the lowest adult literacy rates in the country, it shows.

The wording in this section of the California Ed Code allows school districts more flexibility with staffing, and contributes to an unstable job market for potential teacher librarians. When budgets are robust teacher librarians are hired, but when funding dries up teacher librarian jobs are easily cut. Credentialed teacher librarians are pushed into classroom teaching or searching for positions elsewhere. Those aware of the optional role of teacher librarian in California schools may see committing time and money towards the extra credential as an unwise investment. This contributes to a low supply of new teacher librarians in the state.

Opinion and Evaluation: I write this as a high school library paraprofessional, afraid to lose their school's teacher librarian. Afraid that the students we now serve will lose the welcoming library that supports their curiosity and growth. Afraid that future students might be pushed into the world unprepared for the glut of information and misinformation. We write letters to our senators and assembly people, we show up to board meetings and every March we cross our fingers, hoping we won’t see any pink slips. This article offers an overview of the problem, but we really do need a solution.

California Legislative Information. (1990). CA Education Code § 18120. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&sectionNum=18120.#:~:text=18120