From Inequality to Justice through the Lens of the Library

by Debbie Hall
​When I began my career in school libraries in HISD, the expectation was that all schools would have a library and those libraries would be staffed by a librarian. 200+ schools with 200+ librarians. At that time, books were the main offering along with audiovisuals. Over the years, the learning opportunities offered by school libraries have expanded exponentially with the advent of new technologies. At the same time publishing has dramatically expanded to offer young readers and young adults wonderfully diverse and enriching experiences. Today all libraries have so much to share and contribute to education while virtually operating 24/7. It is a great time for school libraries and the communities they serve.
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Sadly, this promise is going unrealized in many of HISD’s schools. Looking at the cartoon above, I was struck at how this depicts the dilemma we find currently in Houston schools. For me, the apple tree in this illustration represents the library. Some HISD schools have no apple trees (libraries).  This absence represents major in-your-face INEQUALITY.  

No apple trees mean no books/materials for the students. Some schools have apple trees (libraries) but they are staffed by clerks or in some cases teachers who may not be prepared to effectively help students access the apples (books). Schools that offer non-librarian staffing may have achieved the level of EQUALITY that has a tree, but their students are on the side with no apples and a too short ladder; they are not receiving the same services as libraries staffed by librarians. In the illustration, staffing is represented by a variety of tools (ladders and baskets) to help students get the apples (books).
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Schools in high poverty areas that have librarians and libraries are approaching EQUITY but they still need a taller ladder and stronger funding and resources.  The librarian can support program offerings, but actual books and other resources require budget support to meet the needs of students.

When HISD figures out how to support fully staffed and fully funded school libraries for every campus, HISD will have begun to offer JUSTICE to all students in the form of equity of access and equality of resources.

All students can benefit from a strong library program.  Staffing libraries with librarians helps assure that students will be getting the same educational benefits across the district.  JUSTICE is attained when all students have access to the library no matter where they live, that all libraries are staffed with a librarian, and that all libraries have a well-funded collection that represents the needs and interests of the population served (lots of beautiful apples).  

Where is the JUSTICE in providing libraries for some but not for all? This is a key question for both Houston ISD administration and its school board.

The artist is Tony Ruth: Maeda, John. "Tony Ruth's Equity Series (2019)." CX Report, 2 June 2020. It took some digging to track the actual artist following the tweet trail backwards, but that's what librarians do!
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