Association of Philadelphia School Librarians



Equity for Philadelphia's Children Through School Library Programming

Association of Philadelphia School Librarians 9/2010

In 1991, 176 certified librarians served children in the Philadelphia public schools. In June of 2010, only 71 certified librarians remained. With the explosion of information available through digitization, in an article Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google stated, "As the information landscape becomes ever more complex, why does a school district want to abandon its professional guides [certified librarians] to it?"1

Low Income Children and Test Scores

"[S]tudent[s] in higher poverty Library Power schools scored higher than expected while students in low poverty schools scored lower than expected. This finding suggests that when mature, Library Power may provide the most benefit for children in high poverty schools."2

[Library Power goals included a refurbished library with an annual budget to update resources; flexible scheduling; collaborative teacher/librarian planning; extensive professional development for teachers, librarians and administrators; and broad-based community partnerships. Each Library Power school had a full-time certified librarian.]

English Language Learners

"'Librarians can often be the first line of defense in helping ELL students feel secure, welcome, and safe in their new environment,' declares a school librarian in Pennsylvania."

(Debbie Rentschler email to author, May 2010)3

Students with Special Needs

New York’s teaching certification as a Library Media Specialists can be positively correlated with student achievement. [The librarian's] knowledge and skills include:

• the ability to teach students of all abilities the skills necessary to address their informational needs and become effective users of information and ideas (NYSTCE, 2008).4

Student Achievement in Philadelphia Schools with Certified Librarians

• After only three years of service from a certified school librarian where there had been none before, 11th graders at Swenson Arts and Technology High School made AYP for the first time in 2007. In 2010, Swenson students continue to make progress in reading scores on the PSSA.

• After only three years of service from a certified school librarian where there had been none before, J Hampton Moore Elementary School made AYP for the first time in 2010.

• The Teen Writers Guild at Frankford High School had two books of essays, poems and stories published, What We Want to Tell You, c. 2006 and The Writings on the Wall, c. 2007, resulting in several college scholarships, through the collaborative teaching efforts of Philadelphia author Judith Kristen (Purple Hat Gang, c. 2004) and Mrs. Magna Diaz, certified librarian.

1Moran, M. [03.22.10] Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google. Retrieved 9/12/2010 from

2 Offenberg, R. M. & Clark, T. J. [02/19/09 Sch Dist Phila Res&Eval] Impact on Student Achievement As Measured By The Stanford Achievement Test, 9th Edition, 2. Retrieved 9/12/2010 from

3 Adams, H. (2010). Welcoming America's Newest Immigrants: Providing Access to Resources and Services for English Language Learners. School Library Monthly, XXVII (1), 51.

4 Small, R. V., et al. (2006-2009). The Impact of New York's School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation. Retrieved 8/30/2010 from Center for Digital Literacy, Syracuse University, School of Information Studies website: , 7276_NYSchool_Library_Impact.doc

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