This fall, some students in Renfrew County might find their time in high school libraries reduced as the English public school board plans to cut librarian positions significantly.
The number of librarians at secondary schools within the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) will drop from seven to 3.5, according to the local union for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
“I don’t think [school administrators] realize how important this is, because they’re not coming down to our school, they’re not experiencing it for themselves,” said Ethan Ottman, a Grade 12 student at Arnprior District School who started a petition to save his school librarian’s job.
“They’re looking at numbers and seeing ‘I need to cut this and I need to cut that.’”
As of Friday, Ottman’s petition aimed at preserving librarian Raemond Coleman’s job had gathered over 2,400 signatures.
Coleman opted not to speak with CBC since he’s still employed by the board but confirmed what was stated in the petition.
“Mr. Coleman is just a really important person. He is more involved at our school than anybody in the school board,” Ottman told CBC’s Ottawa Morning.
If we look ahead to a future where we don’t have school libraries, I don’t think that’s a future anybody really wants to see.- Michelle Arbuckle, executive director of the Ontario Library Association
Ottman mentioned that he learned how to play bass guitar in a club run by Coleman. The librarian also leads a creative writing group and another club focused on student advocacy for various issues, including support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
“Students just won’t have that safe place anymore,” said Ottman, noting that gathering over 2,400 signatures in under a week highlights how upset people are about these cuts.
In response, RCDSB communications officer Jay Makwana said that while all staff positions are valued by the board, making these decisions has been “challenging.”
“Due to declining enrolment, the RCDSB needed to realign staffing levels with current and projected enrolment,” Makwana explained.
LISTEN | Renfrew County District School Board cutting library positions:
Ottawa Morning12:54Rural school librarians cut
Hear student Ethan Ottman’s plea to save his school’s librarian, and Michelle Arbuckle, executive director of the Ontario Library Association, responds.
However, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault stated in an email that student enrolment has remained stable within RCDSB and noted they will receive about $2 million more in funding for the next school year.
“It is our expectation that school boards ensure education funding is directed back into classrooms and board decisions are focused on putting student achievement first,” Denault wrote.
CBC reached out to Education Minister Paul Calandra regarding statements about these librarian cuts but did not receive any response.
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Librarians play an essential role in students’ future success according to Michelle Arbuckle, executive director of the Ontario Library Association. (Michelle Arbuckle)
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The Importance of School Libraries for Literacy
Libraries at schools contribute significantly more towards better literacy outcomes compared with public libraries since they can tailor materials specifically for students’ needs according to Michelle Arbuckle from the Ontario Library Association.“In a list of bad choices, defunding school libraries really is at the top. It’s coming at the worst possible time,” Arbuckle told Ottawa Morning.
“If we look ahead to a future where we don’t have school libraries, I don’t think that’s a future anybody really wants to see.”
Librarians like Coleman are especially vital for helping students succeed academically as she added.
“[He’s] taught Ethan skills so he can advocate for himself. He’s taught him how engaging with other students works-how social interaction goes,” Arbuckle stated. “He’s running all these clubs aimed at helping students become better individuals – which is exactly what we want from our kids.”Source link
