While Some NJ School Districts Cut Library Media Specialists, New Legislation Could Restore Student Access to Information Literacy

This April marks the 34th Annual School Library Month, with communities throughout New Jersey celebrating the valuable contributions of our nation’s school libraries and certified school library media specialists.

Certified school library media specialists prepare students for success in college and careers by teaching the research, information, media, and digital literacy skills required for 21st century achievement.

According to a 2015 study by Elizabeth Coker, students who attend schools with certified school library media specialists and quality school library facilities “perform better on standardized tests and are more likely to graduate, even after controlling for school size and student income level”.

School library media specialists also promote literacy and inspire a lifelong love of reading, and connect teachers and students with materials in a variety of formats that encourage growth and knowledge. The result is that certified school library media specialists have a measurable impact on reading scores and overall student success.

Despite this demonstrated need and impact, some school districts in New Jersey have eliminated certified school library media specialist positions resulting in districts where school library media specialists are responsible for teaching research and information literacy to thousands of students spread across different schools, and some districts, like the City of Camden, with no certified school library media specialist at all.

School District	County	Grade Levels	Total District Enrollment*	Ratio of Students to Librarian/Media Specialist**
Camden City	Camden	PK-12	9,417	9,417:0
Collingswood Borough	Camden	PK-12	1,988	1,988:1
Freehold Regional	Monmouth	9-12	10,644	3,548:1
Middletown Township	Monmouth	PK-12	9,526	1,587:1
Old Bridge Township	Middlesex	PK-12	8,689	1,738:1
Springfield Township	Union	PK-12	2,239	2,239:1

*Total district enrollment numbers from 2017-2018 New Jersey School Performance Summary Report
**Ratio of Certified School Library Media Specialists to Students from 2017-2018 New Jersey School Performance Detailed Report (Student to Staff Ratios)

The result is that students in these schools do not have access to the same tools and resources as students in surrounding districts, and face reduced opportunities for future success. According to the Coker study, “students who are least likely to have access to a quality library are disproportionately more likely to face poverty and other risk factors known to adversely impact student achievement.”

Unfortunately, some school district administrators don’t realize what their students are losing by not having access to a certified school library media specialist.

“With so much technology at our fingertips, students need librarians now more than ever,” says Leah Wagner, President of the New Jersey Library Association. “Certified school library media specialists teach students how to navigate the overabundance of online information, and effectively evaluate the authority of digital resources.”

According to a joint statement released in July 2016 by several prominent groups of college and university librarians, “access to a quality school library/media center staffed by a certified school media specialist is a necessary part of every student’s education.”

They go on to note that many incoming freshman are arriving on college campuses unprepared to perform college level research, requiring professors and librarians to spend more time than they should covering these basic research skills, because these students did not have K-12 access to a certified school library media specialist.

However, there is still hope for students in New Jersey.

“All schools in New Jersey should have a certified school library media specialist,” says Christina Cucci, President of the New Jersey Association of School Libraries (NJASL). “NJASL has partnered with critical stakeholders to advance and promote legislation to require a prescribed ratio of certified school library media specialists to students as well as require an information literacy curriculum.”

A132 / S2933 requires instruction on information literacy in curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12.

A1995 / S2394 requires a specific ratio of certified school library media specialists to students in New Jersey public schools.

These bills will work in tandem by requiring that information literacy be taught in all New Jersey public schools, and ensuring that all of these students have equal access to certified school library media specialists.

This legislation has been introduced, but more support is needed to ensure passage and implementation of these bills that are critical to student achievement and future success. You can help by contacting your representatives in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate and asking them to support A132/S2933 and A1995/S2394.