Hundreds of Lincoln students visit the library each day, Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:30. Every time a student enters, they are greeted by an energetic and friendly Ms. Scott, our school librarian. They stop by to pick up a book, resolve a tech issue, or even for a special class in the library. For most of them, the library is background noise, and they underestimate how much its resources and environment provide them with. But they don’t realize what’s at stake.
The schoolboard was facing a difficult decision, and originally Superintendent Jones proposed the closure of many Seattle Public Schools to fix the deficit in our education budget. However, this budget proposal didn’t pass. Now the district is looking for new places to limit and reduce expenditures.
This past August, a budget was proposed that suggested cutting and reducing many staffing positions in Seattle Public Schools. One of the threatened positions was that of school librarians, at a proposed reduction from fulltime to 0.5, meaning the library would only be staffed “2.5” days a week. Ms. Scott wouldn’t be present, and the library itself would likely be closed half of the week. The pay for these staffing positions comes directly from the district, so we as a school can’t do much about these proposed cuts if they pass.
If you’re asking yourself how this could possibly happen, you’re not alone. However, as Ms. Scott shared with me, people don’t understand the importance of libraries, particularly beyond just reading. In 2018, big budget cuts were on the horizon, and school librarians were nearly switched to part-time. However, due to a large public outcry, the change was avoided.
As a traditional library, Lincolns’ is doing quite well. So far this school year students have checked out 3,072 books, and 1,296 books are currently checked out as of 12/20. Our library is impressively large, with an incredibly broad range of reading material. Currently 14,256 books are in circulation. Additionally, Ms. Scott and Ms. Pentecost have assisted students with approximately 21 tech issues per day this year!
Focus classes, mentorships, and students in remote running start use the library as their classroom. Outside of school hours, BASH also meets in the library twice a week. Beyond that, Ms. Scott has worked to support many departments throughout the school, by co-teaching classes in ELA, Social Studies, CTE, Health/PE, IEP (SpEd), and world languages. There have been 112 class visits to the library this year alone.
Ms. Scott has focused on teaching information literacy, to help students understand what resources can be trusted and helpful, in school projects and in life. Libraries exist in part to teach this critical skill, and to expand students’ worldview. It is crucial that these spaces are available for students who wish to learn more about the world around them, and about others’ experiences. Intellectual freedom is built on library accessibility, and we are lucky to have one in our school.
Additionally, the library excels at helping foster Lincoln community outside of the classroom. Many volunteers work at the library for service hours, and to help create a welcoming space for students. Currently there are 59 active volunteers, who have cumulatively done 224 hours of volunteering this year. They help keep the library running, through shelving books, processing new books, and creating displays and activities for the library. Clubs such as Frog club and SAGA are hosted in the library, and advised by Ms. Scott. Even during lunch, 120-180 students fill the library, talking, laughing and eating. It has never been the type of library that puts studies before students, and this is evident in Ms. Scotts mission statement:
“Our library is a place where the whole Lincoln Lynx community can come together to learn, read, explore, be inspired, and feel safe and seen.”
The proposed cuts would be devastating to the Lincoln community, and cause incredible logistical challenges. How could students print projects, or access reference materials? Where would they go to eat lunch, or for their clubs? There is no clear answer. Without Ms. Scott, all of things that she has worked so hard to pull together will be gone.
If you like the library, are you willing to fight for it?
Just because we do not have voting power on the proposal doesn’t mean we are powerless. We still have the ability to speak out and show we care about the library.
We can write to and call our district representatives, school board members, and the superintendent. You can also use Let’s Talk (An SPS communication resource), to reach out to specific people involved in district decisions, such as Joe Mizrahi, our district 4 rep, and member at large. If you don’t want to write emails to people, but would rather say directly what you think, you can submit letters to the Seattle Times to be published, sharing why you are concerned by these potential budget cuts.
However, THE most influential thing that you can do is give testimony at the meeting that these budget proposals are introduced.
On January 22nd, at 4:15 pm, this budget proposal comes to a vote. Anything that can come to a vote has to be presented to the public. 24 hours before the meeting, the schedule and discussion topics for the meeting will be posted on the SPS website.
Sign-ups open on January 20th, at 8:00am. You can give testimony online (through zoom), or in-person, at the John Stanford Center for Excellence. Testimony is around 2 minutes long, and students get priority, as they are placed higher up on the list of speakers. However, all students, family members, community members, and SPS staff can give testimony. 20 people can sign-up, and there are a few back-up spots for testimony as well. These spots can fill up quite quickly, so make sure you sign up early.
As you’re working on your statements, consider the following.
Share why our librarians matter, particularly in how a library shutdown and their absence could affect our CSIP goals (full goals can be found online but the main focuses are effects on students feelings of safety and inclusion, academic success, community engagement, and the creation and sustainment of strong learning environments). These goals are what our school lives by, and upholding them is a direct goal of the district. Share how the library has supported your learning and upheld these goals, as well as why you care about the library switching to part time.
Approach your statements with the intention to share, but not blame. Do NOT say “don’t let this happen”! It is not in any one person’s control. Instead, ask to talk to them about the budget proposal, and share why you feel a certain way.
Remember, this is much larger than just Lincoln. Think of the experience your younger siblings could have, or the library at your middle or even elementary school. This is about more than just our library. These cuts will affect ALL SPS librarians, as it is district wide. 31 positions are currently being threatened. You’re not limited to just addressing your concerns with Lincolns library closing, but with any and all SPS libraries.
If you want to support the future of Seattle Public Schools, do not let budget cuts that will negatively affect our community and education pass. Stand up for what you believe in, and support our Lincoln Library! As students we should have a voice in our education. Don’t forget to use it.
Check out our online edition for helpful links with additional information (lhslog.com)!
Helpful things from the article:
Let’s Talk Link:
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/customer-service/
Meeting dates, watching meetings, signing up for testimony:
https://www.seattleschools.org/about/school-board/meetings/
(Under Jan 22, Meeting agenda should be made available on Jan 21st at 4:15 pm)
Meeting Location
Seattle Public Schools John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence 2445 3rd Avenue South Seattle, WA 98134.
More information surrounding earlier budget cut proposals:
C-SIP plans by school
https://www.seattleschools.org/about/continuous-school-improvement-plans/
