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​SNL Houston   

Speaks  

Out  

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​Improved Reading Requires Libraries in HISD

10/22/2019

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By Debbie Hall
 
I just sent out 14 emails to all the School Board candidates to update them and also Juliet Stipeche. We have also sent it to the current Board members.
 
I have a new a new mantra. If we are concerned about reading, we need to be talking about libraries.
 
Dear School Board Candidates, current School Board members, and Judith Stipeche:
 
I just put together some more statistics on HISD libraries that you might find useful. If we are concerned about reading, we need to be talking about libraries. You should find two attachments that contain this data.
 
(1) Library Staff Comparisons by Board Member Districts Fall 2019 - This table compares staffing numbers by area district. This allows you to compare your area (4) with the other board districts.
 
(2)  2019 High Schools Staffing - College readiness is one of the district's most important goals. The current staffing in high school libraries puts meeting this goal in question. Almost half of HISD’s high schools do not offer library services on campus. Just this week, we learned that Austin High School's library was converted to a classroom. Sadly, there are many other high schools that are failing to support students’ learning by providing access to a library on their campus.  We ask you to question the current trend in establishing a Learning Commons and how it is being implemented in some HISD schools. Replacing a library with a Learning Commons is a loss, not a gain, when access to services and materials is lost in the process. The idea of providing a collaborative space has always been a part of a solid library program. This is not a new idea, but it is a new name (Learning Commons). Several of the newer schools have incorporated the Learning Commons idea into their design. Schools like DeBakey and Kinder HSPVA provide both traditional library services and collaborative spaces to the benefit of their students. However, other newly rebuilt schools like Wisdom, HSLECJ, and Lamar have eliminated access to programming, materials, and instruction via a campus library.
 
The numbers in these documents are based on staffing data available at the beginning of the current school year. It is our sincere hope that some of these vacancies have been filled but based on the evidence of the last few years we believe that relatively few of the schools will elect to fill their library positions. Library services will continue to be available for some, but not for all, until the school board and the administration recognizes the negative effects stemming from not setting a standard for library service across the district. 
 
 

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    Author

    This blog is primarily authored by Debbie Hall and Dorcas Hand, but guest authors are welcome. If you have an idea to share, please contact our email below. Debbie is a retired HISD librarian and Library Services Specialist. Dorcas is a retired school librarian who remains active in AASL/ALA. Both support increased equity in school library access and support for all HISD students and campuses.

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  • Site Overview
    • SNL Speaks Out (BLOG)
    • Table of Contents
    • Houston ISD School Board >
      • Libs Surrounding Districts
      • Cost of Staffing HISD Library
      • District I
      • District II
      • District III
      • District IV
      • District V
      • District VI
      • District VII
      • District VIII
      • District IX
      • 17 Children are At Risk/Literacy Deserts
    • What Strong School Librarians Do >
      • 2019 Strong HISD Libraries
      • Impact on Students of School Libraries
      • How They Do It >
        • Certified School Librarians
        • Teaching Expertise Matters
        • Research into School Library Impact
        • Book Deserts
        • Equity of Access Intro
        • Honoring Diversity
        • Intellectual Freedom
        • Critical Thinking
        • Windows Mirrors Sliding Glass Doors
        • Future Ready
        • Closed Library
  • Allies and Supporters
    • 2020 Racial Justice Resources >
      • BLM & Teaching Tolerance
      • A Primer-Racial Justice >
        • Anti-Racism Resources
        • Allyship
        • Black History
        • Voting & Civil Discourse
      • Parenting Resources
      • Diversity in Education >
        • LatinX Resources
        • Gender Issues
        • Indigenous Peoples
      • Young Children - Books & Media
      • Elementary Books & Resources >
        • General ELEM Fiction & Nonfiction
        • ELEM Podcasts Videos & PD
      • Middle School Books & Resources >
        • MS NONFICTION
        • MS MEDIA Resources
      • High School Books & Media >
        • HS NONFICTION
        • HS MEDIA Resources
        • UPPER HS Books
      • Curriculum Supporting Racial Justice >
        • Curriculum by Age Level
    • General Resources for Allies
    • Advocacy Tools for Allies >
      • Information for Parents and Students >
        • Parent Info - Pre 2017
      • Information for Teachers >
        • Teacher Info - Pre 2017
      • Information for Principals and Administrators >
        • Admin Info - Pre 2017
      • Information for Policymakers >
        • Policy Info - Pre2017
    • OpEds and Legislative News - Other Places
    • Equity, Literacy & Critical Thinking >
      • Equity of Access in Detail >
        • Equity - Pre 2017
      • Diverse Choices
      • Reading Matters = Literacy >
        • Reading Matters - Pre 2017
        • Bonus Reading Info
      • Readiness K-20
      • Information Literacy
      • Critical Thinking >
        • Critical Thinking Pre 2017
    • Digital Literacy >
      • Digital Literacy Pre 2017
  • Resources for Librarians
    • 2022 Right to Read
    • Librarian Advocacy in Action >
      • Telling your Story - Basic Advocacy
      • Ecosystem
      • Legislators are Just People
      • Measuring Library Impact
      • Infographics
    • Librarians as Leaders >
      • Librarians Leaders Pre 2017
      • Equity Led by Librarians
      • Libns for Readiness K-20
      • Nurturing Environment
      • Strengthening Your Skills - Personal PD
      • LIB Assn Tools >
        • School Library Standards
        • Future Ready Libraries
      • Curriculum
      • The Research - School Libraries >
        • Research Pre2017
      • S.L.I.D.E. Kachel/Lance
      • Genl Articles LIB Pre2017
    • Literacies >
      • Reading Matters >
        • Reading-Librarians Pre2017
      • Digital Literacy >
        • Digital Lit for Librarians Pre 2017
  • Contacts
  • Intellectual Freedom