Libraries Are Nothing…

Im writing in response to the June 2002 SLJ News article "First Lady to Host Conference on Value of School Libraries ". I applaud those who bring to light the impact of a good school library media program on student achievement. However, the emphasis of the article and its heading (and perhaps even the conference?) is on school libraries, not the person behind that exemplary school library program.

In the article, you say, "the program will focus on good school libraries nationwide, what kind of services they provide, how they work with teachers…." A library does not provide services, nor does it work with teachers. The school library media specialist who manages the school library provides the services and works with teachers. You may feel that this is a matter of semantics, but it does have far-reaching consequences when librarians are not the focus of the conference. Anyone can put books on a shelf and call it a library. But an excellent library media program is the product of a qualified library media specialist.

The article states that a "$10 million government initiative [was unveiled] to attract a new generation of media specialists." This is admirable, but what about trying to raise national awareness among principals, superintendents, and school board members to not cut the current positions of qualified school library media specialists? In the July 2002 issue of SLJ, there is an article entitled "Philly Cuts 16 School Librarians ." Who is now running these programs? We want to attract more people to the media specialist field, but the jobs are not there. They are being culled by local school administrators and legislators, who have eliminated the mandate for these positions in their state.

Perhaps national awareness should focus on who is behind these wonderful school libraries. A facility is nothing without the qualified person who runs it.
T. A. Toppler, Media Specialist
Walcott Elementary and Intermediate Schools
Davenport, IA

I found your article "What's Mickey Afraid of?" (August News), very interesting, as many children's rooms in libraries feature crude drawings of Disney characters to promote various activities. The Watertown (MA) Free Public Library and its branches have had great success using Popeye the Sailor to promote activities throughout the library. Many people forget that the spinach-eating sailor has been used as an educational figure during his 73-year career in print and film. Popeye books and videos are also quite popular in Watertown. More importantly, the library has the blessings of King Features Syndicate, owner of the character. When Disney raises a fuss, perhaps libraries should consider setting sail with "Popeye the sailor man. Toot! Toot!"

Fred M. Grandinetti
"Drawing With Fred"
The Watertown Channel
Watertown, MA

I would like to respond to articles in both your print and online editions about the library programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning (CFL). These articles unfortunately give your readers a wrong impression of what is happening because of the drastic cuts to our agency's budget, cuts we estimate at $8.5 million rather than the lower figure mentioned in the articles.

Minnesota is not "losing" its state library agency. The Division of Library Development and Services continues, with reduced staffing, as part of CFL's Office of Management Services. We are also not losing our eligibility for federal library funding, nor can we see any reason why we should not continue to be fully eligible for this funding. We intend to complete a library services plan within the allowed time frame and are working closely with federal library services professionals to continue this eligibility.

CFL intends to continue the highest level of library service possible consistent with our reduced resources. We would appreciate it if you would make your readers aware that we are working with interested members of the state's library community and others toward this goal.

Christine Jax
Commissioner, CFL
Roseville, MN

Since I work as a public librarian whose area is programming for preschool children, I read "It's Never Too Early " (July 2002) with great interest. Eight years of experience with preschool children has taught me that a well-developed story hour with age-appropriate books, songs, activities, and poetry can have a very positive effect on young children. Children remember details of stories and information gleaned from the program months after the experience is over, and their enthusiasm when I visit them again lets me know that I am helping to build positive attitudes toward books and, therefore, reading.

There is no doubt in my mind that attendance at story hours is a step forward on the path to reading, and I laud the Maryland public librarians and educators for recognizing this. I also think that having librarians teach parents and caregivers language-enrichment games and activities to use with children is a great plan. I am very concerned, however, with the direction the librarians seem to have taken in their story hours.

There is a fine line between a well-developed story program and a lesson. Judging from the "Storytime Tips" and other suggestions in the article, such as asking children to predict outcomes in books or to discuss new vocabulary words, librarians have been encouraged to cross that line. In my opinion, the public librarian's focus must be to bring the very best books to children in a relaxed and happy setting, so that they can experience good literature and grow to love it. Having a lesson plan with educational goals dilutes that focus.

Librarians who ask children to predict outcomes in books are disrupting the flow of the story. Additionally, they may be tempted to use mediocre books in their story programs because they are "predictable" or fill vocabulary goals. I hope that if and when the Maryland Department of Education does a study of this project, they include a control group of librarians whose only goal is great programming for children. I suspect that the children who attend those programs will be as ready to read as the ones who have had lessons with their story hours.

Ann B. Sullivan
Juvenile Outreach Librarian
Sheppard Memorial Library
Greenville, NC

The listing for Leave it to Chance: Shaman's Rain in the August 2002 feature "A Core Collection of Graphic Novels"credited the wrong publisher. The book was published by Image Comics.