Keeping School Libraries Alive

* I was dismayed to read in the April 21 Times article (“School Libraries Shelved Amid Neglect”) that today’s California school libraries are some of the most derelict in our country.

Because of budget restrictions, our children faced similar conditions at Germain Street Elementary School library 25 years ago--no staff librarian, most often the library [was] closed, books sent for repair to LAUSD headquarters went into a black hole and were not seen again, federally funded books were not fully circulated, book cards [were] not filed in the catalog, a few sixth-graders shelved books and students were not trained how to use the library.

In the 1970s, many mothers worked only at home and volunteered at school. One mom with a library degree set things in order--an inventory was taken, the library opened for students and was staffed by mothers. Talks on how to use the library were initiated, books were repaired and children contributed books. As a result, teachers reported students became more interested in books and reports.

Today large amounts of budget monies go for computers. School libraries, however, must be given some priorities. They should not be gathering cobwebs, but rather kept current with updated volumes. They should be places of interest, learning and intrigue for students.

With so much interest now in upgrading the American educational system to challenge students and better prepare them for college and the workplace, it’s difficult to think that a quarter of a century after volunteers “opened” one elementary school library that numbers of California students are not reading books that are currently in school libraries.

Libraries instill, at an early age, a lifetime appreciation of enjoying books and gaining knowledge.

MARILYN WARD FLOYD

Chatsworth