Efforts to restore the requirement have met with surprising resistance. This year, school librarians are once again encouraging our Representatives to bring legislation correcting this omission to the floor of the House. As a school administrator, I strongly support this legislation.
School librarians support the entire instructional program in a school.
They know the curriculum in each area of study and provide materials and information for teachers to support teaching and for students to support learning. They are teachers. My librarian teaches individuals, small groups and whole classes. My librarian works with children to support reading and technology-two of our most important areas of emphasis. Without the requirement in place, it is tempting to staff school libraries with cheaper, non-professional staff.