Many libraries in schools lack credentialed teachers
California students who use the school library aren't likely to find a credentialed teacher librarian behind the desk. Instead, they will probably be helped by someone without a bachelor's degree, teaching credential or much formal training.
The number of school librarians in the state dropped from the equivalent of 811 full-time positions in 2014-15 to 621 in 2020-21, the latest year data was available, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
This means that California schools had one fulltime teacher librarian for every 9,667 students last school year, the highest ratio of the 48 states, along with Washington, D.C., that provided numbers to NCES. The state's Model School Library Standards calls for a ratio of one full-time teacher librarian for every 785 students.
One-third of K-12 students have never had a teacher librarian, said Lesley Farmer, a library media professor at Cal State Long Beach and one of the authors of the state's Model School Library Standards.
A lack of designated state funding for school libraries may be at the root of the scarcity of teacher librarians. School libraries are mostly funded with district general funds and by fundraising, making them a target for cutbacks whenever school finances need tightening.
“Most schools and or districts don't want to pay a teacher's salary for the library,” said Nina Jackson, president of the California School Library Association. “They feel like all they need is someone to run a library and keep the books on track. They don't see the need for someone who teaches digital literacy, media safety and research. They don't see a need for it and, in education, it comes down to money.”
“Ideally, school libraries would have a teacher librarian to work with classroom teachers and students, as well as a library technician to check out and repair books and assist with book fairs,” Jackson said.
The lack of teacher librarians could be hurting California students academically. Research shows that teacher librarians positively impact student achievement at all grade levels, Farmer said.
Teacher librarians are required to have a bachelor's degree, a California teaching credential and a teacher librarian services credential.
Some districts use classified library workers instead. Academic requirements vary by district, with some requiring a high school diploma and others an associate degree in library science or a specified number of college units.
Susan Sloan, the teacher librarian at Bella Vista High School in Sacramento County, says an important part of her job is to teach digital literacy to ensure students can differentiate between biased and unbiased information.
San Juan Unified doesn't have dedicated funds for library books or materials, so Sloan raises about $10,000 annually to buy most of what is needed.
On a recent day, stacks of books on topics like drug addiction, alcoholism, nicotine and hallucinogens were on tables around the library. Sloan said the books were part of a health class exercise that had students rotating from stack to stack while filling out a chart with information about each topic. The idea was to teach students about the health hazards, as well as how to glean information from written materials.
“Some administrators think all we do is check in and check out books, and the rest of the time we aren't doing anything,” Sloan said. “I am the first one on campus, other than the registrar. So, I'm here at 6:30 in the morning, and yesterday I didn't leave until a quarter to 5.”
The California education code says that school districts “may appoint a librarian or librarians to staff the libraries provided they qualify as librarians.” The word “may” is often interpreted as meaning the hiring of librarians is optional.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing website says that while it would be ideal for each library to have a credentialed teacher librarian, it is not always feasible.
“In my view, the statutes are purposely vague because education management, boards and superintendents want maximum flexibility in staffing,” said Jeff Frost, a lobbyist for the California School Library Association. “In good economic times more teacher librarians are hired but in bad economic times, those same TLs (teacher librarians) are often eliminated from school libraries and often laid off or bumped back into classrooms.”
Small districts are most likely to go without a school librarian.
Palo Alto Unified, on the other hand, has a librarian in each school library. Librarians are essential to the district's reading initiatives, said Anne Brown, assistant superintendent.
“We want children to love reading, so our libraries are comfortable, safe places for students to hang