Counting the cost of librarian job losses

Early this morning I received an email from the Texas Association of School Librarians (TASL) listserv.  Carolyn Foote, a high school librarian near Austin, TX, has created a Google map to pinpoint job losses of librarians, library aides, and library directors in Texas.

When I first opened the map this morning, it was basically blank.  This afternoon it is a sea of blue pin points, and I'm sure more will follow.  It is heartbreaking.

It is heartbreaking to consider the hundreds of persons who will be out of work. 
It is heartbreaking to consider the hundreds of schools that will be without library services.
It is heartbreaking to consider how many years it will take to rebound from these cuts.

And most of all, it is heartbreaking to consider the thousands of kids who won't have a librarian. 
Who will hand these kids that one book that turns them into readers for life?
Who will show these kids how to be fluent in this information age?

The cost of these jobs is devastating on so many levels and for so many years to come.

The absolutely indispensable librarian

"AMERICA'S BACK! The Remarkable Tale of Our Economic Turnaround," screams the cover of Newsweek's April 19, 2010 issue.

(Before you wonder where I'm going with this, yes, it will connect to libraries and no, it won't be political.)

I'll confess up front that I don't normally read Newsweek. But a friend gave me this issue to show me something else, and I haven't been able to get past the cover story.

The article contends that America's economy is "coming back stronger, better, and faster than nearly anyone expected" (p. 29, print ed).  I'm obviously no economist, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.  I don't think education (and libraries) have hit bottom yet. 

And to survive these lean and getting leaner times, we are going to make ourselves absolutely indispensable.  How?

The absolutely indispensable librarian will...

Be a people person--relationships are critical

Be a kid person--sounds redundant, but unfortunately it isn't

Be a reader--read more children's or YA lit than anyone at your campus

Be a nerd--in a good way, of course.  Have a blog?  Twitter much?  Participate in educational networking?

Be a curriculum person--know the curriculum for every grade and content area at your campus

Be a financial steward--spend district money well and wisely

Be a PR person--advocate for the library at every turn

Be a professional--join and actively participate in your state library organization and ALA

Be a resource--either have it or know how to access it

Be a 21st century librarian--help students and staff become competent in 21st century skills

What did I leave out?  Please join the discussion!

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