Take Action Now to Retain School Libraries!

Deadline for comments – July 3, 2009

Do you agree that every student should have a library in their school?

Do you believe that it is absolutely essential that every school library be staffed by a certified school library media specialist?

If you do, it is again time to take action to strengthen the requirement for school library media programs that has been in place this year.

NJASL is recommending that N.J.A.C. 6A:13-2.1(h) be amended to say

“All school districts shall provide a comprehensive school library media program that enables students to meet NJCCCS, and that is connected to classroom studies in each school building. The program shall include access to computers, district-approved instructional software, appropriate books including novels, anthologies, reference materials, and supplemental materials that motivate students to read in and out of school and to conduct research. All students, teachers, and administrators in each school building in New Jersey at all grade levels shall have access to a library media program provided by one or more certified school library media specialists working full time in the school library media center.”

• NJASL needs your help to ensure that the requirement for school library services under the direction of a certified school library media specialist is retained and strengthened.

• NJASL needs you to engage parents, school administrators, and community members in a conversation about the importance of school libraries and the need for every public school library to be staffed by a certified school librarian.

• NJASL urges you to write to ask that the requirement be strengthened to ensure that every public school has a library staffed by a certified school library media specialist and to encourage other members of the school community to do likewise. Use the templates and talking points below.

Send your letters to Rochelle Hendricks, Assistant Commissioner

NJ Department of Education

100 River View Plaza

                                                                 P.O. Box 500

                                                                 Trenton, NJ 08625

Templates

Click on the link above for templates and talking points to use when you write.

• A sample letter from a school library media specialist
• A sample letter from a teacher or other school staff
• Talking Points specific to this issue

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