Our Voices
A library is, or should be, the heart of every school. Cutting funding to school libraries makes it even more challenging to foster successful, lifelong learners/students. Schools with competent teacher-librarians produce students with higher test scores and provide better opportunities for students in a wide variety of areas.- Ms. Pam Reicks, Phoenix
As an English and journalism teacher in a Title 1 school, I rely on my school librarian to provide a full range of literacy support for my students. This should not be added to the already full schedule of the classroom teacher when experts exist who are best suited for the job.- Ms. Sally Marini, Glendale
I have 4 children. 2 in public school, 1 in pre-school and 1 getting ready to start, we need to do something to protect the education right for all of our children to learn and the library is a valuable tool that needs to remain for our children to use, they are the future and what we decide for them now will determine their future, our children need our unified voice now!- Mr. Steven Reichart, Mesa
As a bilingual speech/language pathologist I see a huge need for literacy development among the bilingual population. School librarians not only get students themselves excited about reading but provide activities and outreach affecting entire families. They are the liaison between school and the public library. If we want our bilingual population to embrace reading and become fully literate in English we need to increase the number of full-time librarians in the schools--not reduce them!- Ms. Katherine Payne, Tempe
School librarians are invaluable to all aspects of the learning process on an elementary campus. We must provide training and access for individuals to fill librarian positions at all our AZ schools!!- Ms. Lisa Millerd, Tucson
Librarians provide a safe and intelligent resource for children. These women and men are essential to showing children as well as adults the joys of reading and the many worlds they have yet to discover.- Ms. Jennifer Jones, Apache Junction
Research shows having a certified teacher librarian in the school library will increase achievement.-Ms. Lisa Morris-Wilkey, Casa Grande
As a parent of two young children I feel it imperative that we preserve our school libraries and librarians.- Mr. Mark Frank, Surprise
All children should have access to a school library and the guidance of a librarians. Librarians teach people to become critical thinkers.- Wendi Birkhead, Lake Havasu City
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