News Ontario's school libraries in peril Only 10% of elementary schools have full-time teacher-librarian June 3, 2004: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Despite the emphasis on literacy in Ontario's public education system, school libraries and teacher-librarians continue to plummet. The Ontario Coalition for School Libraries (OCSL) points to data in the 2004 Elementary School Tracking Report, just released by the parent research group People for Education, clearly showing that Ontario's school libraries and teacher-librarian staffing are at alarmingly low levels. The Ministry of Education's funding formula for a full-time teacher-librarian in an elementary school is 769 students -- less than 2% of Ontario's elementary schools have that level of enrolment. The 2004 Elementary School Tracking Report shows that full-time teacher-librarians in elementary schools have declined by 80% in seven years. Only 22% of schools in central Ontario and the GTA have a full time teacher-librarian, and even less in schools in other regions: 2% in southwestern Ontario, and fewer than 1% in northern Ontario and eastern Ontario. In 31% of Ontario schools overall, the school library is open less than 10% of the week. The OCSL is requesting a meeting with Education Minister Gerard Kennedy to highlight the data brought to light in the 2004 Elementary School Tracking Report. "We must stop the slide, and reverse the disconnect between school libraries and student literacy," said Liz Kerr, Co-Chair of the OCSL. "Funding for new student literacy initiatives was recently announced -- and yet teacher-librarians and school libraries have not been addressed. Since years of research have consistently proven that school libraries play a significant role in student literacy, we urge the Minister of Education to reinvest in school libraries -- student achievement and equity for students depend on it." Teacher-librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to select learning and literacy materials for the school, teach literacy and research skills to students, and develop and manage library collections. Research consistently demonstrates that well-stocked and professionally staffed school libraries are strongly linked to information literacy skills, student achievement, aptitude and interest in reading, success at the post-secondary level, and Canadian cultural identity. As Dr. Avis Glaze, Director of Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has said, "School library services need our attention. If, indeed, we mean it when we say that a literate citizenry, the result of an effective public education, is the bedrock of our democracy, can we, as a society, afford not to give our school libraries the attention that they deserve?" The Ontario Coalition for School Libraries is a volunteer organization working to heighten public, media, and government attention to the far-reaching consequences of the decline in school libraries, and a provincial member of the Canadian Coalition for School Libraries. For more information, please contact: Liz Kerr, Co-Chair Ontario Coalition for School Libraries (705) 742-9773 ext. 2240.