During a recent government meeting, Robin Carpenter, a certified teacher librarian, raised urgent concerns regarding the state of school libraries within the district. Carpenter highlighted the significance of school libraries as integral components of student education, referencing Policy 6161, which mandates that each school library be staffed by a certified teacher librarian. This policy was revised last year to reinforce its importance.

However, Carpenter reported a troubling trend of non-compliance among several secondary school principals, who have been utilizing certified teacher librarians as long-term substitutes, thereby undermining library programs. She expressed skepticism about whether the promised oversight from regional superintendents and associate superintendents had taken place, noting that the initial trickle of non-compliance has now escalated into a steady stream.

Specific schools, including Johnston, Hyde Park, Knudsen, and Orr middle schools, have reportedly removed certified teacher librarians entirely, with Hyde Park's library being repurposed for orchestra classes, restricting student access. Carpenter emphasized that the absence of certified librarians at these schools indicates a concerning shift away from maintaining effective library programs.

She further pointed out that several elementary schools, including Bowler, Goldfarb, Hancock, and others, are similarly staffed only by long-term substitutes, which she argued is insufficient for administering effective library services. Carpenter concluded by stressing the need for immediate corrective action to prevent a regression to pre-policy conditions, where library resources and support for students are severely compromised.