Maryland Library Association Urges Carroll County to Reverse Decision on School Librarians
The Maryland Library Association (MLA) is calling on the Carroll County Board of Education to reconsider its recent decision to eliminate school librarian positions in all middle and high schools by the end of the current school year.
In a letter addressed to the Board and Superintendent McCabe, MLA joins the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) in expressing deep concern over this move, emphasizing the critical role school librarians play in supporting students’ information literacy and academic success. The association highlights that this decision contradicts state regulations requiring certified library media personnel in schools and urges the district to uphold its commitment to student learning under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Dear School Board Members and Superintendent McCabe,
The Maryland Library Association (MLA) has learned that the Carroll County Board of Education has announced the elimination of school librarian positions in all middle and high schools in the county at the end of the current school year. MLA shares the Maryland Association of School Librarians’ (MASL) deep concerns regarding this decision. We recognize the importance of the school librarian as outlined in COMAR section 13a.05.04.01: “each local school system shall establish in each school a unified school library media program for the use of all students which shall include, but not be limited to […] certified school library media personnel and support staff.”
The removal of certified school librarians will greatly impact the ability to teach information literacy to students consequently impacting students’ future success. The School Librarian serves a specific and necessary role in schools, working collaboratively with teachers and utilizing their expertise in helping students navigate the information world.
School librarians are experts, not only in curating collections and resources for students, but also in helping them use critical thinking to research and navigate a wide array of information sources including, but not limited to, the internet, print material, and research databases. These skills are imperative to students as they navigate the complex information landscape.
We urge the CCPS administration to maintain school librarians in K-12 education and to recognize their importance to the success of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Sincerely,
Teonja Jung, President
Joshua Stone, Executive Director
Maryland Library Association