Why Are School Librarians So Important to California Students

Access to expertly staffed libraries with current, relevant, and diverse collections is an equity issue in California. California is 50th in the U.S. with 9,116 students to every 1 Teacher Librarian (SLIDE).  Join with us to ensure that all California students have access to school library books and services. 

“In 2023, just 43% of California students were reading at grade level by third grade, state data shows. Worse still, far fewer Black and Latino students met that standard.” [D’Souza, K. (15 May 2024). “Getting California kids to read: What will it take?”EdSource.]

 Credentialed Teacher Librarians are leaders in information literacy instruction and technology integration in collaboration with faculty. They curate robust library spaces, collections, and programs. Teacher librarians, along with qualified library support staff, provide students with a safe space and equitable access to information essential for students' achievement and well-being. 

 


Sign the petition to support school librarians in California today!


 

“Reading and writing scores tend to be higher for all students who have a full-time certified librarian, and when it comes to reading, students in at-risk subgroups tend to benefit more than all students combined.” [Lance, K.C. & Kachel, D.E. (2018). “Why School Librarians Matter: What Years of Research Tell Us.” Phi Delta Kappan, 99 (7), 15-20.]

All of California's students deserve equal access to impartial and unbiased school libraries staffed by Credentialed Teacher Librarians who have professional training and expertise in teaching and librarianship.

Book bans have reached a record high in 2023-24, including in California. The American Library Association believes this figure is an undercount since many challenges and bans are unreported and does not capture the pressure for “soft censorship” – the preemptive restriction on access to potentially challenged books through removal from the shelves, restrictive labeling, or not purchasing books on certain topics. In California, by not staffing school libraries with teacher librarians trained to create and implement clear policies to protect everyone’s intellectual freedom and freedom of speech, the state has effectively infringed on students' right to read in the same way book challenges do.  

At CSLA, we work to raise awareness about the status and role of school libraries, Credentialed Teacher Librarians, and qualified school library support staff are essential to students’ literacy and well-being. We create and promote legislation to hold our elected officials and school districts accountable to staffing and funding thriving school libraries. We provide professional support to school library staff of all levels through conferences, community, and professional development.  

Please join us in our efforts to support this critical equity issue for California's students by signing the petition today!