EveryLibrary is partnering with the Georgia Library Media Association to ensure that school librarians are not overlooked in this budget cycle.
The Georgia Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee has been discussing cutting the salary raises for several positions, including media specialists. These cuts fall short of what is being proposed for teachers and administrators. As educators certified by the Professional Standards Commission, contracted and paid on the teacher salary schedule in QBE-earned positions, and with research-based, positive impact on student achievement, it is perplexing that there is a recommendation that school library positions receive a salary increase of less than $700 next year, contrasted with a $3,000 raise for teaching and administrative positions.
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Many members of the library profession and library supporters have expressed concern that media specialists are not being recognized as teachers despite numerous studies showing positive impact on literacy scores. Library media specialists collaborate and co-teach with teachers every day. Many school librarians teach over 100 students each day, guiding them to become digital citizens and lifelong readers.
The appropriations subcommittee members have heard this plea, by email, phone, and in person, that all certified positions receive the teacher pay raise. That’s why we urge the Governor to work with them to come up with either a modified raise that is inclusive of all certified educators or find additional funding to set the increase at $3000 for all. It is now up to the Governor support the recommendations of the committee to fund the salaries of school librarians.
All certified positions in a school should be treated equally when it comes to pay. Library media specialists teach daily, and the school library is the largest classroom in the school. The impact of school librarians is especially significant for low-income students who don’t have access to books or the internet at home. There is no other position in the school that is so uniquely poised to reach across all grade levels and subject areas. School Librarians are not limited to a single class, grade or subject. Please be assured, librarians are making an impact in the lives and education of Georgia students. In fact, there are multiple studies that show that having a full-time, certified media specialist in a school increases test scores (SASL Impact Study, Lance, K.C.,2017).
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The Georgia Library Media Association (GLMA) is a professional organization that is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of school library media specialists and to quality education in Georgia’s schools.