Connecting With Librarians

This week’s episode addresses a challenge facing Oregon educators today, how to connect students with crucial library resources in the face of current funding issues. Beth talks with Liz Beazizo, librarian for West Salem High School, about the statewide shortage of school librarians due to cuts in our education budget. There are currently no certified librarians in Oregon elementary and middle schools and only 147 high school librarians in the entire state. Liz explains what this means for classroom teachers who now have few trained librarians to support class projects or teach research and information literacy skills. And, of course, now more than ever, students need guidance in navigating through social media and chatbot sites for reliable information. They also need the trusted presence of a school librarian, presiding over the safe space of a library, what Liz calls the “living room of the building,” without judgment or grades. Liz offers suggestions about how the connections with school libraries might be maintained in these challenging times. Library assistants offer services when trained librarians are unavailable, and educators can work together to ensure that students feel comfortable and confident in their library skills. 

 

Resources:

Oregon Libraries

Why School Libraries Matter

In Appreciation of School Librarians

Empowering Oregon Students by Supporting School Libraries

Literacy and Wellbeing at School Libraries