I received an email today about the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) from a friend who is a school librarian in Prince George's County. This year the Prince George's County library program has been drastically cut. Most of the elementary and middle school librarians now serve two or even three schools with no aides. This means that the libraries are only open for students one or two days a week.
There is talk of further cuts, which might mean that the high school libraries will be open only half time.
Senator Mikulski sits on the Senate HELP committee, so she will be voting on this legislation. If you live in Maryland, would you please give her a call about this legislation?
See more below the squiggle:
The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is scheduled to mark-up (vote on) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) beginning on Wednesday, October 19. As of now, Senator Murray (D-WA) has done a good job including libraries into the legislation; however there are still areas where there needs to be more. There is an amendment that will be introduced during the mark-up by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) that will further address school libraries’ role in education.
You are receiving this e-mail because your senator, Senator Mikulski sits on the Senate HELP committee and will be voting on this amendment when it is introduced. Please call Senator Mikulski today at 202-224-4654 and tell her to support the Whitehouse/Murray amendment on school libraries.
This legislation, if passed, will impact education policy in this country for years to come, so it is critically important that we make sure libraries are included in this bill.