The New Jersey Association of School Librarians is supporting a bill in Trenton to ensure that certified school librarians are teaching in every school and district across the state. It’s a critically important moment for school librarians and the students they serve. A recent national study shows that New Jersey has lost between 300 and 400 school librarians in the last decade. The COVID-impacted school years have seen districts like Chatham, Glen Ridge, and Cedar Grove move to eliminate their school librarians under the guise of financial pressures. And yet, certified school librarians are vital to student success from standardized tests to individualized learning.
S1903 requires a “ratio of school library media specialists to students” starting with small schools and part-time positions to large districts where the ratio allows every student to have the access they need and the materials they want. NJASL wants to thank Senate Sponsors Jim Beach (LD6) and Linda Greenstein (LD14).
This bill needs your attention and support.
This bill clearly states what every school librarian across New Jersey already knows: “In order to be college-and-career-ready in the twenty-first century, students must be able to use a wide range of information resources including books, media, technology, and the Internet. All students must be able to locate, evaluate, and interpret information accurately for academic and professional success. This bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. It’s important to reach out today to your state Senator to ask to support this bill.
Every $10 we raise helps us reach 1,000 more Americans like you who can help us support libraries.
We want to echo what the bills state when they acknowledge that “a qualified school library media specialist is uniquely suited through educational training and professional development to provide this educational foundation for all students.” Now it is up to everyone in the state who cares about the future of education and the future of school library work to stand up and ask their legislators to make this ideal a reality.
Please sign the petition and send an email to your members of the state Senate today. Help keep this bill moving - for all New Jersey students - this session.