$0 Funding for School Libraries
This is what is happening in north Texas. In order to appease the hateful rhetoric of a few groups, school districts (especially my own) have given campus libraries $0 for their yearly budget.
This money is not also used to purchase the latest award-winning books for children but is used to replace ware and tear and lost books. Some of the money is used for campus STEAM programs, renewing educational programs as well as promoting literacy events.
School libraries also play a vital role in helping students develop critical thinking, research, and information literacy skills. These skills are essential for success in today's world, where access to information is at our fingertips, and being able to evaluate, analyze and use that information is a valuable skill. The state of our school libraries is a reflection of our commitment to the education of our children. A well-funded library with a knowledgeable librarian and a diverse collection of books is essential for the development of critical thinking and a love of learning. It is a place where children can develop the skills they need to become lifelong learners, and where they can discover the joy of reading.
The health and well-being of our school libraries are a reflection of our values as a community and a commitment to literacy is a commitment to the future of our children.
-Hector