[CALIBK12] San Diego Union-Tribune article

[Barbara Jeffus]

What a nice tribute to one of California's teacher librarians--Dennis Donley. Follow the link. Barbara

Retired school librarian fears unhappy ending for profession
By Maureen Magee<http://www3.signonsandiego.com/staff/maureen-magee/>
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
When Dennis Donley began his career nearly 35 years ago, he joined a crew of 40 teachers who staffed every middle and high school library in the San Diego school district.
As Donley enters retirement, there will be 11 full-time, credentialed librarians assigned to San Diego secondary schools next year. Most of the dozens of campuses will share librarians or employ half-time clerks — a far cry from the 1970s when the district had one of the most progressive school library systems in California.
San Diego Unified, along with other districts across the state, has whittled its library staff while struggling with budget cuts. This year, districts were allowed to use state funds meant for libraries to help balance their spending plans.
“They say they ‘keep cuts away from the classroom,’ ” said Donley, who accepted the district's early-retirement incentive this year. “I consider the library my classroom that serves every student in the school.”
(lower in article)
One in eight California schools has a full-time or half-time credentialed librarian. That's far below practices in most other states that mandate staffing ratios, said Barbara Jeffus, chief library consultant for the California Department of Education.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/07/retired-school-librarian-fears-unhappy-ending-prof/?education&zIndex=127839



Barbara Jeffus
School Library Consultant
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 3207
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.0445
FAX 916.319.0172
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb

School Libraries Improve Student Achievement.

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