Libraries and literacy go hand-in-hand
The decline in literacy test scores in Michigan over the past few decades parallels the dramatic loss of certified school librarians across the state, say two MEA members who also lead the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL).
Librarians are literacy leaders with expertise in book collection development, information literacy instruction, and defending intellectual freedom, said MEA member Christine Beachler, a Lowell schools librarian and MASL immediate past president, who attended the Michigan Literacy Summit in December.
School librarians make a wide range of books and resources affordable and accessible to every child. They help to teach reading skills and digital literacy. Yet only 9% of Michigan school buildings have a full-time certified school librarian, Beachler notes.
“Teaching kids to read is wonderful, but school librarians pick up from that point and build cultures of reading,” Beachler said. “Librarians help students discover books they love and continue to foster love of reading and critical thinking skills.”
Multiple studies have shown access to school libraries staffed with a full-time certified school librarian improves student achievement, and at-risk students benefit most, says Kathy Lester, a former school librarian in Plymouth-Canton, MEA-Retired member and MASL advocacy chair.
In Mississippi, which policymakers like to cite as making literacy gains over time, school districts must employ a number of certified school librarians based on student enrollment.
“If you want to improve literacy in Michigan, you need to staff modern libraries with certified teaching librarians,” Lester said.
