One of the biggest calls to action for libraries is to CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!
It's one of the most important things you can do to advocate for your library. Invite legislators to programs and events. Keep them aware of the vast partner network. Find ways to use library resources and partners to help legislators solve priorities and needs in their community. Advocacy is not a one time ask, it is an everyday relationship.
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program went statewide in 2019. The goal is to have 100% registration of our youngest Delawareans.
District of Columbia example
Former D.C. certified school librarian, Pamela Lipscomb, "excessed" from her position writes, "Yesterday, I posted that next school year nearly 6,300 middle and high school students in DC public schools will return from virtual learning to schools without a librarian. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
In 37 DCPS schools, principals have successfully petitioned to cut their school librarian positions. Librarians, whose primary job is to support the social/emotional development and build the information literacy, reading, and research skills, which lead to College/Career/Life success, of every child in their respective school. That 37 includes 31 elementary schools, mostly in Wards 7 and 8. If each elementary school has only 400 students, that 12,400 children. 12,400 + 6,300...you do the math. DON'T JUST STAND THERE, DO SOMETHING!"
H. Brake; 7/12/2021
SLIDE Research Study
by Judi Moreillon, School Librarian Leadership, July 19, 2021.
Initial findings and perspectives report on preliminary data on the status of school librarians in the U.S.
SLIDE Online Data Tools
Using National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data from 2015-16 to 2019-20, SLIDE online data tools provide district level data about school librarian employment, employment of selected other educator positions, and selected district characteristics and student demographics.
Classified Library-Media Specialists: How many hours per week do you work and what is the starting wage for your position?
That terminology isn’t used in my area. All of my district librarians are certified educators with a masters in a library program or just certified in education and placed in the library as a teacher on special assignment. We’re all on the same pay scale as any other teacher based on step/years of service.
We use the terminology here, and LMS are paid as a teacher/step/education like you. But we also have aids that are certified, and essentially paid what a para would be paid *also on a step based on years in the district.
In Texas librarians must be certified teachers so we are on their salary steps at 110%. We work an extra ten days in the school year.
In NY you need to be a certified teacher.
Western CO-$16.45 hour start 36 hours 4 day work week. Responsible for all in building tech, book purchasing, repair, inventory, classes at elementary school level, and anything else admin asks such as duties.
I am a librarian assistant don't need to be certified (support staff) our district just has 1 certified librarian. I get 37.5 hrs a week and 15k a year. I do other duties as well. Morning and afternoon carline, 3rd and 4th grade lunch duties, and occasionally step in the office if needed (is not very often). We have about 300 in my building and in Oklahoma
Washington state - we are certificated teachers and on the same schedule/pay scale as all other teachers.
This part is true. Missouri The problem is that we are to teach full time and then also run a library full time. AND quite often we are also the Computer teacher. SO how many hows do I work? i have no idea. It changes weekly because of what has to be done.
40 hrs pay range $16-$27 hr 1700 students California
In Oklahoma, librarians are certified teachers and must have a Master’s degree. The salary schedule is the same as for teachers. Many districts have librarian contracts for additional days of work beyond the classroom teacher contract. That pay is figured by your daily rate of pay.
Classified in northern CO, $20 an hour , 40 hours , usually 150 students but with covid19 only 50 students plus small group support.