Yesterday, all eight Teacher Librarians in the district were notified that their positions may be eliminated as part of a number of sweeping budget cuts the district must make. This hits hard after the cuts to libraries last year: all but one site lost a library technician. The purpose of this blog is to collect stories or comments about how the CJUHSD libraries have had a positive impact on you(teachers, staff, parents, but especially STUDENTS) Feel free to add any concerns you may have about what might happen to the libraries if this position is eliminated. It doesn't matter which district school you attend or where you work. YOUR VOICE MATTERS! STUDENTS: For your safety & privacy, please only include yourfirst name and last initial when making comments. TL's play a key role in student success and it would be a great loss to each of the eight comprehensive school sites in the district to lose them. For more information about the role Teacher Librarians have in student achievement, check out these resources: California's School Libraries Make a Difference by Doug Achterman, University of North Texas, December 2008 School Libraries Work! 2008 Edition (PDF; 28pp. Scholastic) Summarizes findings from a decade of empirical studies that cite the measurable impact school libraries and library media specialists have on student achievement. School Libraries Make a Difference (PDF; 2pp. summary of findings from CSLA, 2005) Research studies from 1993-2005 in Sixteen States Other Research Related to School Libraries (California Department of Education) For more information about the CJUHSD's budget, including a space to send comments or suggestions to the district, check out their Budget Watch webpage. We need your help, let your voice be heard! Act Now! Click the COmment link at the top of this post. (you may post anonymously if you wish)
46 Comments
Julie DuVall
2/4/2010 09:52:09 am
I am a Library Media Technician at Montclair High School. Here are some of my reactions to the news, which I have shared with other library staff and CSEA members:
Reply
Siska Lie
2/4/2010 02:08:18 pm
I was a TA at MHS in 2008. I was really shocked and sad when i read this blog. I just want to say, "Please do not cut any library teachers or the techs that provide such a great services for students who will need help in their research and study. Without library teacher, there won't be any TA that can help to sort out books and put them in places. It will be hard for the library to work as efficient without TA. TA library play important part of the library. But if there is no library teacher, it is not possible to have TA.So, library needs a library teacher that can help, organize library, and the most important is they are there to help teachers and students for their education.
Reply
Julie DuVall
2/5/2010 01:30:15 am
My original response was cut off, here is the rest:
Reply
Jenny Parker
2/5/2010 01:59:31 am
I think it is extremely important for each site to have a teacher librarian. At Montclair Sarah Bosler has been an extremely important part of our students success. She takes the time to find books that students are interested in and shows them how much fun reading can be. I have had more students ask to go to the library to check out books to read for enjoyment, not because they have a book report or some paper to write, just because they want to read. She has also been a great tool for teachers in all content areas. She is ready and willing to help teachers create, modify and explore new ideas for lessons and projects. Without teacher librarians I feel that schools would be doing a disservice to its studnets and staff.
Reply
William T. Wehrle, PhD
2/5/2010 03:28:29 am
Any half-educated person can tell you what a Teacher Librarian means to a school: essential help with computers, references, periodicals, texts -- the list could go on. The library is the academic/intellectual core of the school, and the Teacher Librarian (MHS has the best) maintains it. As for "budget problems," we all know there are other, less destructive solutions than attacking the library.
Reply
Andrew V.
2/5/2010 03:33:26 am
I never really appreciated the library until i had the recent chance to spend more time in it. I have really gotten into reading while here as well. I honestly don't think the library will have the same help without the librarions. There wouldn't be anyone to give suggestions on some excellent books. This would also hurt the students directly because some of the students who are library aides would not have a class. What if they need this in order to graduate? There can't be any library aides without librarians. If there are no aides to help then the school library would be a mess all the time. The books would not be in order and the library would not be the same. Sure you can ask people to clean up after themselves but how often do you think that is going to work?
Reply
K.S.
2/5/2010 03:37:59 am
I'm a student here at Montclair High School and when I heard that our Teacher Librarians may be eliminated because of the economic problems that the state is going through I was really suprised. I don't think that this would be the right thing to do because if nobody is in cahrge of the library who will have control in orgainizing all the books and textbooks that are checked out everyday by the students that attend the school. It will be really tough if their is nobody in the libraries because every thing would be a mess. We need this librarians and the TA's that help them keep this libraries organized and clean. The librarians are really important in the schools so that they can help us with the books that we need also their TA also play a big roll in this school because they also help out with this. It will be unfair if they leave because we will no longer have someone to help us out in getting the books that we need for our education.
Reply
Veronica C
2/5/2010 04:23:41 am
As a senior, I am currently a library TA for the 2009-2010 school year. If there is no teacher librarian, this can cause problems. The teacher librarian is a great contribution to student's achievements. From my experience working in the library, I was introduced to new books by the teacher librarian who has helped me become involved in reading as a hobby. I watch the teacher librarian help many students with researching skills that are not given by the class instructor. Teachers do not have enough time to something that is not part of the class cirrrculum. If the teacher librarian is gone then students will not be taught researching skills that are beneficial to them in high school and college. If the library is short staffed,library hours may be cut which does not give students the oppurtunity to get there work done with the resources the library offers. I myself spend much time in the library using the computers or books to get my work done. From my observation, it is a hard task to keep a library organized that requires more than two people. The teacher librarian helps student get access to teacher forms on the library links which will not be accessible anymore. The teacher librarian is a great contribution to student's achievements and their education.
Reply
Jonathan H.
2/5/2010 04:25:04 am
My name is Jonathan & I am a student of Montclair High School. I'm also one of the library assisstances at the MHS library. I think Ms. Bosler should not be eliminated because she has been a librarian since the day she started working at MHS as well as I known her since my freshmen year. What a school needs is a professional librarian and that includes Ms. Bosler.
Reply
Gina Lopez-Gerlach
2/5/2010 06:56:56 am
All 150-164 of my students use the library within the first three weeks of school. They are scheduled for a brief orientation led by our Teacher-Librarian and then guided through the process of picking out a book for our school wide sustained silent reading program. Many of our kids have never been in a situation where they have to pick out books for themselves, and find the process overwhelming. Mrs. Bosler’s expertise in guiding students is at its best at this time. She can ask a student a couple of questions and within just a few minutes she has an armful full of reading suggestions tailored to each individual kid. We have a fantastic online catalog (picked out and maintained by Mrs. Bosler), but nothing can replace the personal connection she has with the kids.
Reply
Marla White
2/5/2010 01:50:08 pm
I am completely taken aback by the possibility of this decision. In my 15 years with the Chaffey District, I have come to value and appreciate the teacher librarians who have served me and my students. Textbook distribution is only an ancillary function. I have benefited by the hours these colleagues have provided to me in helping my students research and evaluate materials. They have invested countless hours in the preparation of materials for my courses. They are not the shushing librarians of my youth but hands on collaborators in teaching the entire school population. These are tough times but these professionals benefit our entire community from books sales to blogging. They make an important impact on each campus.
Reply
Marilyn Irwin
2/5/2010 10:54:11 pm
February 4, 2010
Reply
2/6/2010 05:48:01 am
Sent to Canan Tasci on 2/6/10:
Reply
2/6/2010 06:50:11 am
Why! take the Librarians jobs away, when this personnel has played a very important role throughout history. The librarians second to the Teachers, have always assisted on the Childs education. Where would the children go after school, to learn about the history of the United States of America, and also how to avoid a budget crisis for the future.
Reply
Teacher Librarian
2/6/2010 08:18:06 am
[1911-2010] Chaffey keeps a Librarian in the library. Ninety-nine years and then suddenly, in the 100th year anniversary, when students need us more than ever (due to rapidly advancing educational technology, laws, and 21st century learning skills) we are slated to be eliminated from the contract forever. What's wrong with this picture?
Reply
Paul Martinez
2/6/2010 10:00:09 am
One only has to step foot inside the library for a few seconds to realize the importance of the teacher librarian. When it comes to books, she is an educator, a guide, a mentor, a facilitator, a traffic officer, an organizer, a financial expert, and a well of information, among many other things.
Reply
Robert Haine
2/6/2010 10:41:11 am
Having taught for 33 years at Chaffey High School, I cannot imagine the idea of the Chaffey Memorial Library without a Teacher Librarian. The position has always been one of leadership and innovation. I am aware that difficult budgetary decisions need to be made, but a library media center is a vital part of what makes a comprehensive high school work, with the Teacher Librarian as the guiding force.
Reply
Wow!! This is unbelievable! I can't imagine a library being ran without leadership of some kind---with a credentialed leader that knows the ins and outs of a library.
Reply
I graduated from Montclair High School in 1972. When I was in high school, I was often homeless, although no one knew. I travelled from home to home and I spent many months hiding out in the youth center at Bethany Baptist Church.
Reply
2/7/2010 01:29:53 pm
The Chaffey Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees "steadfastly believes" that "Nothing is more important than student learning and achievement."
Reply
kimberly 9th
2/8/2010 01:53:58 am
The libary and the librarian had such a positive impacted on me.Whenever i needed help with my homework thier was a place for me to go.When i wanted quite time away from People and just read i would go to the only placei know the libary.The librarnian Dose so much and we should keep her here.
Reply
Justin C.
2/8/2010 02:39:15 am
i believe that Teacher Librarians should not be cut out of our school systems. It is not fair that we will lose someone who is so helpful to our school and our students. They take the time out of there days to find us books and help us find data bases. Without these great teacher librarians helping us i dont believe we would be as successful. We need to get this story published and get it out to the community so we dont lose such a vital part of our schools. They really are more helpful than anyone will ever know.
Reply
2/8/2010 02:50:54 am
I completely empathize with your situation. Last year, my school district eliminated four of the six secondary school librarian positions. I now oversee two middle school and one high school librarian.
Reply
ALICIA
2/8/2010 06:55:56 am
We need our students to become proficient readers and capable researchers so they can reach their full potential as current students and on-going learners. We cannot maintain high levels of expectations if we continue to cut those essential educational elements that nurture the growth we strive to achieve. These highly professional and supportive Teacher Librarians are a vital part of what makes a school function optimally, and both students and teachers will feel an enormous loss if they are slashed. When an entity as ours is hurting the way it is and hanging on for dear life, we MUST not rip out a major artery. THAT is how important TLs are to CJUHSD. Montclair HS, in particular, would suffer tremendously if we lose Sarah Bosler.
Reply
Laura Turnbull
2/8/2010 11:50:29 am
The teacher librarian has helped support crucial instruction that is so needed for the education of our students. Research skills are so important to the English departments within our district that they have all required research papers at every level. Without, the teacher librarian to assist and support this requirement, it will become increasingly difficult for our students to achieve mastery in this skill. Please reconsider this action; it seems like we are cutting where it hurts our students the most.
Reply
Meredith Kadlac
2/8/2010 10:30:01 pm
As a math teacher, I don't often work directly with our Teacher Librarian, but I know that she does amazing things to promote literacy at our school. She makes a point of acquiring books that students WANT to read, instead of just stocking the library with dusty old copies of 19th century novels and outdated sci-fi, such as was the case at the library at my high school. The research seems to show that if students voluntarily read more, then their test scores improve. So if we cut the Teacher Librarian positions at our schools, we might as well just slash our test scores, while we are at it.
Reply
Susan Bleser
2/9/2010 06:51:00 am
What is this world coming to???!!!! Libraries and librarians are a mainstay of and for our society. What will be next - the humanities, teaching the classics, the arts, music . . . everything that makes us the great country we are!!!
Reply
Justin C. (student)
2/9/2010 09:48:11 am
this is an outrage. How can our districts want the best for us when they plan on cutting out one of the hardest jobs. i dont know if any of the people from the district can handle the jobs these TL's do. lets see them find data bases for research lets see them get book that everyone will like and accept requests of books to get. THINK ABOUT THIS DOES THE DISTRICT CARE ABOUT US THE STUDENTS OF THEMSELVES AS PEOPLE... ITS UNFAIR AND NOT MORAL TO TAKE THESE LADIES AND GENTELMEN OUT OF A JOB THEY LOVE DOING. AND ALL THAT THEY HELP ON GETS PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER...SAVE OUR TEACHER LIBRARIANS NOT FOR THEM BUT FOR US...
Reply
Michelle Dang
2/9/2010 01:11:20 pm
Hello there. I'm a student attending Chaffey High School, and I recently heard that my teacher librarian has a possibility of losing her position. I understand that we are in large debt and certain things must be taken away, but I don't think this should be on that list. My teacher librarian, Karman Johnson, has been of amazing assistance for as long as I can remember. Every time I go to work in the library, she offers to help me on finding useful websites or suggests interesting books to read. She's an extremely academically-useful source to derive information from when I need it. I'm not trying to be biased by incorporating my opinion, but I'm just stating the truth. On my campus, money is wasted on other pointless things like ASB (Associated Student Body). I just don't see how that is needed. We already have the authority figures we need. Why not overthrow them and save money? My point is, the district needs to look closely and meticulously again at what should be cut and what shouldn't.
Reply
Christine
2/9/2010 11:40:34 pm
The cuts to education these days are simply devestating to our youth. Librarians can show students a love for reading and knowledge. I can rememeber countless hours spent in the library researching for reports and projects where the librarian was able to help me to discover the path to knowledge. I think it is sad that school districts are willing to let our students enter college without having the experience of assisted library use. As an adult, I still frequent the public library, however I wonder, when we start showing our students that this kind of service is expendable, if our public library systems will be used in future generations. I know cuts must be made, but there are already so few of these teacher libraians left. Please save these jobs as they build a culture for students and the community.
Reply
2/11/2010 03:17:40 am
As the owner of Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop in LaVerne, I have worked for 25 years with teachers and librarians to instill a love for books and reading in children and their families. School librarians can have a such a positive impact on the way students look at books and reading...they recommend and encourage and are great at sharing their own enthusiasm for books and the wonders that are inside of them. School librarians are a critical part of what is needed to grow thinking, productive, contributing citizens. By eliminating their positions from schools, we are lowering our standards of what we want for our children and for our country.
Reply
Ms. Gomez (Counselor)
2/11/2010 05:31:14 am
Losing our TL especially at MHS would be devistating. Sarah is such an asset to our school. She serves our students as well as our staff as a Teacher, guide and mentor. Sarah is innovative and constantly educates us and keeps us informed of the current techniques, resources and methods that we would otherwise not have the time to research on our own. She is a go to person with a wealth of knowlege of resources and information. Our students feel comfortable in knowing that they have a Librarian that makes them feel welcomed and empowered to utilize the resources that the library has to offer. Without Sarah and Teacher Librarians like her we would be taking a huge step backwards in improving the educational experience for our students.
Reply
A concerned citizen
2/11/2010 09:16:30 am
Why don't you cut football instead?
Reply
Jennifer Kanter
2/12/2010 01:58:36 am
Teacher librarians are one of the few educators who reach ALL students, across ALL disciplines, into EVERY classroom. Eliminating these educators from our campuses will directly harm EACH and EVERY student's education, both subject-specific and as life-long learners!
Reply
KimberlyK
2/12/2010 09:44:34 am
Ever wonder how come we appreciate our librarians so much? It's because our minds and bodies are designed to be life long learners. Librarians help us to access that knowledge that is at our disposal in an organized, meaningful way. Sarah is truly the most amazing TL that I've ever met. She has connected simply thousands of students to the joy of learning and self-education. Wow. Removing this position of authority, resource and guidance from MHS is roadblock in the pathway of knowledge.
Reply
Timothy H. Hite
2/13/2010 02:41:30 am
I taught English at MHS for 27 wonderful years. Throughout those years I relied heavily upon the skill and expertise of the dedicated staff at the library, noting with pride and pleasure the annual improvement of the offerings and services the library provides. Currently the MHS library is at the zenith of its progress, and the Teacher Librarian, Sarah Bosler, and the technicians have become a sine qua non in the daily life of the school. They assist teachers daily in procuring educational materials, teaching students library research, checking out textbooks for entire classes: the list continues ad infinitum. This is true at each of the eight campuses in the CJUHSD. Why mess with success? I predict, if these horrific, short-sighted, ill-conceived, draconian, ridiculous, absurd, impossible cuts are instituted, that API scores will drop, teachers will suffer even greater stress as their classes will see delays in textbook distribution, and students will begin to lose library skills as freshman orientation is canceled. Students will stop coming to the library on their own if they can't get the help or attention they are used to. The idea of cutting all the Teacher Librarians is the worst and most destructive budget proposal this district has ever come up with, and doing so will mark the beginning of a rapid decline from the shining levels of performance CJUHSD has reached.
Reply
PATRICK.A
2/13/2010 06:32:57 am
THE LIBRARY IS A GOOD HELP FOR SCHOOL FOR ALL MY ESSAYS AND SCHOOL WORK THAT I NEED INFORMATION ON. THE LIBRARIANS ARE A BIG HELP BECAUSE THE KEEP EVERYTHING IN ORDER AND HELP ME FIND ANY THING I NEED.
Reply
Dalia
2/13/2010 09:03:32 am
So anyone who knows me, knows the library is pretty much my favorite place. When I first came to Montclair, I didn't go to the library at all. It wasn't until my english class had to go that I finally walked in. I remember Ms. Bosler showing us how to use the school's website and the sources. Ms. Bosler had such a fun attitude when she was teaching, that the library soon became a daily place for me to be.
Reply
Claudia D.
2/17/2010 10:02:07 am
I don't think it's fair that we might lose our librarians. They actually spend their time helping us find books for reading or for information on projects. Ms. Bosler takes time to find the books that a class will need for research projects. WE NEED OUR LIBRARIANS!!!!
Reply
Christian H
2/19/2010 09:36:14 am
I am a Freshman to Montclair High and I just moved here this year. I didn't know anyone and I was pretty much a loaner. Reading was my escape from all that and so I spent a lot of time in the library. The first time I went there Mrs. Bosler introduced herself and she made sure she was involved with what I was checking out and with my activities in the library. I kept going for awhile and she recommended many GREAT books to me. I started to really appreciate her and all the other librarians for what they do for us. Without them how are we supposed to interact with the individuals who help us the most? Those "individuals" would be our beloved librarians. They help us check out our textbooks, they keep a lot of order in the library, and they are greatly involved with the students! Without them so many kids' education wouldn't be as diverse or easy as the librarians tend to make it. They make us love to read and love to come to school because we cannot wait for the vast adventures in our books and textbooks. I think that getting rid of our librarians and TLs would be the worst possible solution for our school. Why not get rid of the sports or, I don't know, P.E? I personally think that should not be a requirement in school but that's besides the point! Keep our librarians and TLs they are the best and I would hate to see someone knew go into our library and not know what to do.
Reply
2/19/2010 11:38:05 am
Thanks for all the kind comments everyone. We are still fighting the good fight and being creative about looking for ways the district can save money.
Reply
Carlos G.
2/24/2010 06:21:19 am
School's should be require to have a teacher librarians in order for students like me(TA) at Montclair high library to get a grade and be able to graduate. Librarians are good teachers who help people or students find books.
Reply
Carol Abel
2/24/2010 07:08:56 am
With test scores more important than ever, it would seem that cutting library teachers would be like "cutting off your nose to spite your face." There is a reason why higher test scores are tied to having a qualified librarian in the libraries.
Reply
Michele Hanchett
3/1/2010 07:15:22 am
As a special education teacher at MHS, I am deeply saddened by the suggestion that we give up our TL's. My students have become life-long readers because of Sarah Bosler and the other librarians who have shared their enthusiasm for reading with the students of MHS. Many students go to the library for academic support, but our librarians have also managed to foster a love of reading in our students! We need our Teacher Librarians and library staff!
Reply
Justin Cox
3/4/2010 02:53:44 pm
Like a great man once said "No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change" What does this have to do with the TL's you might ask its very simple in fact. They make students better people i know personally. Once a fresman i never liked to do work, but ever since my first day in the library of montclair highschool i felt like my limits were impossible to reach i felt the sky was then limit and it really got me to look at the man in the mirror and make a change. I am now planing on becomming a Firefighter Paramedic and its thanks to the lovely people that work at montclair highschools library. Now i have a chance to give back if it werent for the T.L.s idk what i would be doing right now. Would cutting these people make a positive impact on students? I dont believe so for the fact that we would be losing a critical part of our school. The same great man from the first quote also states "With Not Enough To Eat Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Reply
6/24/2010 05:52:08 am
As I high school librarian for six years out of my 32 yrs. as a professional librarian, I can attest to the fact that a librarian is integral to the learning and education of a student, especially at the high school level. I have had wonderful teaching experiences with students at both Damien and Azusa High School. Some of the best years of my life were spent discussing life and having fun at the same time. I treasure these momoments in my heart, and realize that the students' have impacted my life for good, as well as hopefully the "library experience" enriching the life of these
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Sarah Bosler and I am a Teacher Librarian at Montclair High School in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District (CJUHSD). The Daily Bulletin is working on related stories, please comment on their blog as well.
Letters to the DB Editor Pros Should Pitch In (Mar 11, 2010) Pros should fund school sports (Feb 23, 2010) Save libraries (Feb 14, 2010) Cut subs first (Feb 13, 2010) Published Articles Etiwanda High sit-in emphasizes displeasure with budget cuts (March 12, 2010) CJUHSD will send 84 layoff notices (March 3, 2010) Chaffey district considers $10 million in cuts (Feb 17, 2010) CJUHSD cuts school days (Feb 8, 2010) ArchivesCategories |