Outline:
The State of School Libraries in New York City
New York City’s public schools are facing a growing concern regarding the availability and accessibility of school libraries. As part of a recent initiative, the City Council has mandated that the Education Department report data on school librarians and library access. This effort stems from years of advocacy by parents and librarians who have raised alarms about the decline in librarian positions across the city.
The first-ever report on public school library data was released last month, revealing that out of 1,614 public schools, only 1,016 have a library. However, there are just 273 full-time librarians and 12 part-time librarians serving these schools. This disparity raises serious questions about the quality and availability of library services for students.
Research has consistently shown that access to school libraries with certified librarians is linked to better academic performance and higher graduation rates. One study even found that the loss of librarians correlates with lower reading scores. Despite this evidence, the current situation remains troubling.
Advocates have expressed concerns not only about the data itself but also about how it was collected. They argue that the Education Department used a school’s operating hours as a proxy for library hours, which they believe is an unreliable method. According to some librarians, libraries can be closed for various reasons such as testing or meetings, and this does not accurately reflect their actual availability.
One librarian, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, shared her experience of being shut down for two months due to testing. During this time, she was not allowed to proctor tests and spent most of her time in the teachers’ cafeteria. She described how she would occasionally walk around the school with a cart of books for students to check in or out.
Advocates emphasize the importance of having a librarian, not just a library space. Jenny Fox, a parent and founder of Librarians = Literacy, explains that librarians do much more than check books in and out. They teach media literacy, online safety, and help students evaluate articles for truthfulness. These professionals build their own curriculum, assist with research skills, and interact with every child in the school.
An Education Department spokesperson acknowledged the importance of school libraries, stating that they are “essential” and that there is still room for growth. They emphasized their commitment to expanding these numbers to bring more knowledge, books, and a culture of reading to more students.
On his fourth day as New York City schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels visited a Brooklyn school where parents and educators raised concerns about the lack of librarians. He agreed that school libraries were “critical,” noting that when schools in the districts he worked in received libraries, it made a noticeable difference in the school culture.
Despite these efforts, parts of the City Council’s school library law remain unimplemented. State law requires students in seventh and eighth grades to receive at least one period of library and information instruction per week. However, according to a data analysis from Librarians = Literacy, only about 20% of K-8 schools and junior high schools have a full-time librarian. This suggests that the law’s requirements are not being met.
The anonymous librarian mentioned that she is only teaching four library classes, while there are about 60 classes of seventh and eighth graders at her school. The data on the number of students in those grades who receive library instruction is set to be released on June 1. Next year’s data will also include information such as the number of non-licensed school librarians helping to fill the gap, the number of hours per day licensed librarians are assigned to do school library work, and more.
As the conversation around school libraries continues, advocates remain committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. The journey toward equitable access to school libraries is ongoing, and the challenges ahead require sustained attention and action.