Stagg Line
No Students Allowed: Library lacks librarianWednesday, August 26, 2009 By Carina Gonzalez
The school library is a haven for readers and a helpful place for those without a computer. Last year, throughout the day, students could stop by and enjoy the Dewey Decimal System. But now, because of the budget cuts, students no longer have a librarian, and taking advantage of the facility has become a challenge. Students are not allowed in without a teacher. The absence of the head librarian, Martha Hawley, has created a problem for many students, like senior Nichelle Aguilar. “It’s inconvenient that it’s closed all the time without a teacher. It’s difficult for people to do their homework. People always tell them to use the library, how are we going to do our homework?!” Aguilar knows this first-hand, “I have an English essay due, and I know I’ll get distracted at home. So I’d rather do it here.” Taking Hawley’s place temporarily is Susan Babel, assistant librarian. Though she acts as librarian, Babel doesn’t have a librarian’s credentials. Also, she is often in and out of the library helping in the textbook room. The library assistant program would be useful during this time, but because of the position the district is in, that too has been dropped. Jasmine Hall, senior, is also feeling the strain of not having complete access to the school library. “It really does bother me. I have to go to different libraries just to get what I need. I go to the Cesar Chavez (Library) now. That’s a long walk.” Some students, like Hall, walk distances for a computer to use. However, surprisingly, the library has been full of activity. Teachers are regularly bringing in their students. Babel says, “The library is actually busier, it’s great.” Although “Harry Potter” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” are increasing in checkouts, there are some problems. “I had some classes come in and all of them are pretty good, but the bookshelves are already starting to look trashed.” Going from library to the classroom hasn’t been too much of a switch for Hawley, due largely because she was a teacher for quite a few years. She started teaching in the late 70’s and is now teaching biology. Despite the fact she was teaching before she hit the books, she would like to come back to the library saying, “It’s my passion.” Hawley said students need the library. “They need these skills when they go to college... the way the budget cuts are going, they aren’t helping the students,” she added, “High schools that fund libraries have higher literacy skills.” Babel says, “I think some teachers are frustrated. I do feel bad for the students ... Hopefully in the future this will be resolved.” |