CTU Pushes for Librarians in Every CPS School
Union Claims Cuts to Librarians Hurt Students’ Reading Levels and Information Literacy
The Chicago Teachers Union is advocating for the placement of librarians in every Chicago Public School, arguing that the decision to cut them has had a negative impact on students’ reading levels and information literacy.
Students’ Reading Levels Still Recovering from Pandemic-induced School Closures and Online Learning
According to CTU members, students and their reading levels are still recovering from the pandemic-induced school closures and online learning. With the rise of public misinformation, there is a growing need for better information literacy among children.
Funding is Key to Supporting Libraries
"To support libraries, they must be funded," said Tara Donnelly, a librarian at Foreman College and Career Academy. "If they are not funded, it is the same outcome as the book banning extremists, it is closing libraries and preventing access."
CTU Members Protest Outside Tilton Elementary School
CTU members and supporters handed out books to children at George W. Tilton Elementary School in West Garfield Park, which does not have a library. "You can look behind us, there are children running to get books," said CTU Secretary Christel Williams Hayes. "They are excited that they are being gifted books, not toys, not video games, but books — something that they wish they had in their building."
Historical Context: School Closures and Promised Resources
The drive for more librarians partly stems from the 2013 decision to close 50 schools in the largest mass school closure in the country. At that time, the district promised to provide resources to affected schools, including librarians. However, CTU members say that the promised resources were never delivered, and students are still struggling.
Funding for Librarians Necessary to Support Student Success
"Eleven years later, we are still fighting for these resources that our students deserve and need," said Maria Moreno, CTU’s financial secretary.
Lack of Librarians in Minority Schools
A study by the Sun-Times and a Chicago Teachers Union researcher in 2022 found that librarians were present at only 10% of schools where Black students make up the majority of the student body. In contrast, 25% of schools with predominantly white students and 21% with predominantly Hispanic students had librarians.
CTU and CPS: Longstanding Disagreement
The demand for more librarians is also connected to the ongoing contract negotiations between the union and the district. "We want all the same things," said H Kapp-Klote, a CTU spokesperson. "We’re all on the same page, but when it comes to funding it and making it happen, we’re not getting much from CPS."
Conclusion
The push for more librarians in every CPS school is likely to continue. As the district faces a projected $500 million budget deficit in the coming years, the need for libraries and librarians is more important than ever. As CTU’s Donnelly so aptly put it, "There’s a lot of talk in Chicago about a budget deficit, but there should be equal talk about the knowledge deficit, about the skill deficit, about the empathy deficit and about the imagination deficit that results from closing libraries."
FAQs
- Why is the CTU advocating for librarians in every CPS school?
The CTU believes that librarians are essential for supporting students’ reading levels and information literacy, and that their absence is having a negative impact on student outcomes. - What is the current number of librarians in CPS schools?
According to the district, there are currently 107 librarians employed to serve over 500 district-run, non-charter schools. - Are there any other plans to address the lack of librarians in minority schools?
The CTU has proposed hiring librarians for every school, but the district has not yet agreed to this demand. - What is the current state of contract negotiations between the CTU and CPS?
The two sides are currently engaged in ongoing contract negotiations, but have not yet reached agreement on issues such as the hiring of librarians.
