The State - News from Aug. 16, 1987

A study commissioned by the California Department of Education concluded that school libraries are financially undernourished, and that many contain books that are grossly out of date. The report, “Crisis in California School Libraries,” said only 32% of the state’s school libraries are staffed by state-certified librarians (compared to the nationwide average of 79%), while the state spends an average of only $4.76 per student yearly for library books (compared to the national average of $6.24.) The study also found that 42 states have more book titles per pupil than California school libraries provide, and concludes that unless the state pumps more money into neglected school libraries, many students will finish school ill-prepared for jobs or college.