Philly’s public schools have one certified librarian—PARSL is working to change that
April is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries.
Every April, school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning.
Unfortunately, the 217 schools operated by the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) have only one - yes, one - full-time equivalent (FTE) school librarian position for the District’s 113,000+ students. The District stopped centrally funding school librarian positions nearly three decades ago, and now most SDP schools do not have functioning libraries staffed by certified school librarians. If school libraries do exist in SDP schools, those libraries are usually run by volunteer groups or nonprofit organizations
School librarians play an essential role in the lives of learners.
The importance of having certified librarians in public schools cannot be overstated. First and foremost, school librarians are EDUCATORS. They play a vital role in promoting literacy, are trained to help teachers and students access information and educational resources, and help students develop critical thinking skills. And of course, they introduce children and young adults to a world of books, literature, and resources that broaden their horizons.
“As a collaborator, change agent, and leader, school librarians develop, promote and implement a program that will help prepare students to be effective users of ideas and information, a lifelong skill.”
Yet, this crucial position is missing in most of Philly’s public schools, even though multiple studies have shown that students who attend schools with full-time, professional school librarians score significantly better on reading tests than students whose schools don’t have librarians.
PARSL seeks to partner with the School District of Philadelphia to make sure all public schools have a certified school librarian.
This is where PARSL comes in. The Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians is working tirelessly to ensure that every public school in Philadelphia has access to a certified librarian. Founded in 2022 by a group of educators (including several retired school librarians), school library volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and concerned community members—the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians exists to correct this grave inequity. PARSL seeks to partner with the School District of Philadelphia to co-create a strategic growth plan for the development of effective library programs with certified teacher librarians in all schools across the district.
And you can help too!
TAKE ACTION! Help spread the word about the need for school librarians in Philly
This April, take part in our School Library Month activities. Let’s show the widespread support for making sure District-operated schools provide well-stocked school libraries with instructional school librarians in every school.
Sign the Petition
Sign the petition to make restoring school librarians a high priority in Philadelphia. Because Philly' kids deserve it!
Join PARSL
Help us reach 500 members . We need the school board to see, hear, and feel the groundswell of support for school librarians. Join us and follow us on Facebook.
Write a Testimony to School Board
Tell the The Board of Education why it’s so important for the District to provide this essential component of public education – a school library with a trained school librarian to guide and teach our students in every school. You can also testify in person or virtually.
Send us a Personal Testimonial
Tell us about your experiences with or without school libraries and librarians. What difference has it made or can it make in the lives of our school kids? We’re collecting testimonials from students, teachers, parents, and all city residents.
What do we mean when we say protecting our children’s right to read? For PARSL, that work includes ensuring our children have well-stocked school libraries supported by full-time school librarians. Each school librarian is one more person in a child's life helping them reach their literacy goals. As educators and champions of literacy, they are a key part of helping more children read at grade level by 4th grade and beyond.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Philadelphia students and ensure that they have access to the literacy resources and services they deserve. Join PARSL today and be a part of the change!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenny Lowman is a grant writer, nonprofit leader, and childhood literacy champion. Formerly the Executive Director of West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) and longtime Read by 4th partner, Jenny now serves as a coordinator for the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians.
