Some Questions about HISD’s Policies and School Libraries

by Debbie Hall
In the late 50’s and 60’s, school libraries staffed with certified librarians were found only in HISD’s secondary schools. The Director of Library Services, Elenora Alexander, proposed that elementary schools also needed library services and consequently a plan was made to add libraries across the district. Staffed libraries providing needed services to staff and students was the norm for over forty years across the district. In the past 10-15 years, this standard has deteriorated, and new schools at all levels are being built without any library. Currently only approximately 63 librarians serve in libraries in the 276 schools within the district.  A larger number of schools staff their libraries with teachers or clerks. In the Fall of 2020, we have identified 85 schools that are not providing library services due to vacancies or simply not having a library. That number represents 31% of the district’s schools who offer no library program to their students or support to their staff.

This brings us to these questions about the current state of school libraries:

• Why does HISD find itself in this position of declining library services? 
• To what cause can we attribute this decline?
• Is this a policy issue? ​If so, it is not recorded in the district policy manual.

Here is what the HISD policy manual (https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Search/592?filter=library ) states regarding libraries: 
      The Superintendent or designee shall develop rules, regulations, and procedures to ensure the
      systematic maintenance of libraries as current resources for teachers and students. Principals shall
      ensure the effective use of the libraries within schools and shall establish library hours, staffing,
      and procedures that best serve the needs of the students.  (EFB Local 2012) 

      Library media centers for each school shall be equipped with resources for reading, viewing, and
      listening to enhance the regular instructional program and shall be staffed with certified
      learning resources specialists in accordance with approved staffing guidelines. (EFB Local 2012)

      Adequate funding for library media programs shall be made through the annual budget. Funds
     for the purchase of library materials shall be allocated on an equitable basis to the various schools.
     (EFB Local 2012)

The reading of HISD policy clearly demonstrates that the Superintendent and Principals have failed to provide the leadership in maintaining libraries as outlined by district policy. They need to be held accountable for failing to provide the resources that all students deserve. This is an equity issue: every HISD student deserves access to a fully funded library staffed by a certified librarian.