[CALIBK12] Library Advocacy next steps

[Headley Vicki]

The way different district can do different things often has to do with
funding. The discrepancy in district state income is HUGE! In Cupertino,
parents have been the main "funders" of libraries.  The district pays for
some hours, but most of the funding comes from parents.(and we have no
teacher librarians)  Parents also pay for some full time teaching positions.
All my funds to run the library and the computer lab - everything from tape
and scissors, to books and other media, comes from the fund raisers, and
generous parents.  The school has purchased computers, I have funded the
printers, ink, etc.  Unfortunately with libraries in this district, it is
the PERSON that is appreciated more than the PROGRAM.  I took this job with
the hopes of building a program, but I see it all going away when I leave.
I am debating whether or not I should put my lessons online, or leave them
on my computer and hope that they can be used by someone running the
PROGRAM. The ax hasn't fallen yet, but it is hovering. Any ideas? I am
leaving no matter what.(old woman - time to walk away)
Vicki Headley
Media Specialist
Kennedy Middle School
821 Bubb Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014
408-253. 1525  Ex: 150

"And he reads to them, as he does every night, as if watering them, as if
turning earth at their feet."  -- James Salter
    


On 3/3/09 9:53 AM, "Doyle_Tony" <tdoyle at muhsd.k12.ca.us> wrote:

> "It's not the local school districts at fault, but the sad
> bottom-of-the-barrel state funding that has been allowed to serve the children
> of California."
> 
> I have to disagree with Tom and Heidi.  How can some districts maintain
> library programs and others not.  Merced is a good example.  Merced City
> Schools was forced to cut library programs but the Merced Union High School
> District has not (knock on wood).  What's the difference?  I would argue that
> it is management (or mismanagement). Merced City actually maintained model
> library programs through the dark days of the early 90s (remember when they
> state was deficit-funding schools- i.e. not giving all of the money owed) but
> now they can't.
> 
> It is not impossible for districts to maintain professionally-staffed library
> programs under current funding.  If it is a priority for the district the
> funds will be found.  Don't accept that libraries have to be cut to make up
> for deficits.  We are already operating at a minimum level and cutting library
> staff results in miniscule savings for districts but has a devastating effect
> on learning.  The local school districts ARE at fault.  And so is the state
> and WASC and the feds.
> 
> Do not go gentle into that good night!
> 
> Tony
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> Anthony Doyle, Teacher Librarian
> Livingston High School
> Livingston, CA
> tdoyle at muhsd.k12.ca.us<mailto:tdoyle at muhsd.k12.ca.us>
> 
> "When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can
> only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself."
> (Isaac Asimov, from his autobiography I Asimov)
> 
> The contents of this message are private and are intended for the recipients
> named in the To and CC fields.  You may not forward this message without the
> expressed permission of the author.  The contents of this message are the work
> of the author and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Merced
> Union High School District or Livingston High School.
> ________________________________
> From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On
> Behalf Of Thomas Nixon [Thomas.Nixon at fresnounified.org]
> Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:25 PM
> To: Heidi Snively; Megan Fuller; calibk12 at listproc.sjsu.edu
> Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Library Advocacy next steps
> 
> I think it is important to understand that there is a great deal of truth in
> Heidi Snively's statement:
> 
> 
> "It's not the local school districts at fault, but the sad
> bottom-of-the-barrel state funding that has been allowed to serve the children
> of California."
> 
> 
> Is that true for all school districts? My guess is no. However, that being
> said, I think we do ourselves a disservice when we decided that the default
> statement is that all school boards are evil. Sometimes there really is no
> money and it is up to the board to make tough decisions.
> 
> And, of course, it is up to us to make sure that those tough decisions affect
> other programs. It is up to us to ensure that school boards understand that
> schools revolve around the library. Even more importantly, it us up to us to
> make sure that our individual school's programs do indeed revolve around the
> library.
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Nixon
> --
> Teacher Librarian
> Tehipite Middle School
> 630 N. Augusta Street
> Fresno, CA 93701
> (559) 457-3420, x. 570
> Web: http://www.tehipitelibrary.org<http://www.tehipitelibrary.org/>
> Blog: 
> http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blogspot.com<http://notyourmotherslibrarian.blo
> gspot.com/>
> 
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