Op-ed: DC shouldn’t defund school librarians

There’s currently no guarantee that school librarians will be funded in future DC Public School budgets, despite general support for school librarians from both the DC State Board of Education and members of the DC Council. We can fix this problem if the council passes the Student's’ Right to Read Amendment Act. Unfortunately, the council has not scheduled this legislation for markup or the two votes that are necessary prior to the close of Council Period 24 at the end of the year. We cannot relegate this critical educational initiative to a legislative graveyard.

In June 2021, the DC State Board of Education unanimously passed resolution SR21-4 in support of statewide requirements establishing a minimum number of full-time school librarian positions in all District public schools. In October 2021, Council members Charles Allen, Mary Cheh, Janeese Lewis George, Brianne Nadeau, Anita Bonds, Trayon White, Brooke Pinto and Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced B24-0443 to amend the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to require sufficient funding for a school librarian at each District of Columbia public school.

Both of us testified a year ago at the council’s public hearing for the legislation, which received an overwhelmingly positive response as a way to ensure that all District students have access to credentialed school librarians. Since that hearing on Nov. 23, 2021, council members have regularly heard testimony urging them to move this bill forward, including from national library advocacy group EveryLibrary at the Committee of the Whole hearings on March 2 and on July 14.

School librarians are essential for addressing learning loss. Recently released data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called the Nation’s Report Card, reported that DC has experienced an 8-point decline in fourth-grade reading since 2019. This is not the time to defund services that are proven to help our students learn to read.

School librarians do more for students than just support literacy learning, as comments from students and teachers at Columbia Heights Educational Campus make clear.

“Our school librarian makes sure we feel comfortable,” wrote a DCPS student in reference to the co-author of this commentary. “He creates a space where I can learn new things about myself and educate myself as I accomplish live and school goals.”

Emani James, a Wingate University freshman, wrote to us about her time at the school’s library: “Since 9th grade I would always come during lunch time to find peace, love, and joy, while also reading something of my interest.”

Tayvanni Chambliss, a freshman at The Catholic University of America, told us: “Bell Library will always be in my heart… it’s a safe space to come and find community where you feel loved and respected.”

Teachers benefit from working alongside librarians too.

“To me, the library changed my life and perspective on thinking,” said environmental science teacher, Ms. Angenette Planter. "It opened my mind up to new things, and it guided me to new heights. I love the library and my librarian.”

History teacher Mr. Erve Pyram explained why it’s so important to have school librarians in place: “The job of the librarian is to help students decipher information and assist with research- that’s why schools need a librarian. If we are serious about providing research and literary skills to students that will help them in post-secondary education, we will support school librarians.”

As the end of Council Period 24 draws toa close, we recognize that council members and staff have packed schedules, and that every committee has a lot to get done. That said, ensuring that school librarians are funded in future years is essential. We urge the DC Council and Chairman Mendelson to prioritize a commitment to DC students that is so broadly supported, evidence-based, and timely.

We are running out of time. Chairman Mendelson and DC Council should clarify any outstanding details of the Student’s Right to Read Amendment Act and vote on it before the end of DC Council Period 24. Otherwise, DC will be at risk of defunding school librarians, which would dismantle an essential investment in District students.

Read our op-ed via The DC Line

Allister Chang is the Ward 2 member on the DC State Board of Education, and Christopher Stewart is a school librarian at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus and the chair of the School Library Section of the District of Columbia Library Association.