Report Says Philadelphia Public School
Libraries Understaffed, Understocked
A report released recently by the Association of Philadelphia School Librarians is drawing attention to the city’s public school libraries. Prepared by the APSL executive board, the report says that they are badly understaffed and stocked with books that are an average of 25–30 years old.
A story in the October 13 Philadelphia Inquirer noted that librarians are reluctant to discard old books because they fear having little left, or they have no time to weed collections. Debra Gniewek, manager of the school district’s library programs and services, said that to make matters worse many of Philadelphia’s students are from impoverished backgrounds and have few books at home.
District school officials have repeatedly said they need more state money, according to the Inquirer. Philadelphia schools spent about $5.50 per child for library books and materials in 1997–98, while the national average was $14.24. The report urges more spending on libraries, as well as the adoption of the ALA/AASL “Library Power” model for all school libraries.
Posted October 25, 1999.
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