Supporting District Libraries

One of the most important services offered in our schools is the library. I know that my daughter Mia looks forward to her weekly visit to Noble's library, where she can experience the wonder of a large selection of books and bring a book of her choice home for one week.

Due to the California budget crisis, school libraries across the state have pared back service and even closed completely. Close to home, the East Side Union High School District no longer has library staff at each school.

Fortunately, the Berryessa School District still provides libraries that are open 4 hours/day in each of our elementary schools and 5 hours/day in each middle school. These hours are paid for out of the district budget, both from the general fund and from Measure W revenue. Last year, the district provided one more hour at each school (5 and 6). That means we were able to move forward with no more than a 20% reduction in district support at each school.

At the same time, due to responsible budgeting, the district has been able to add a full-time credentialed librarian to serve all 13 schools. Our new librarian, Anne Lee, helps support curriculum and material selection and provides a service that has not existed in the district for many years.

I will continue to make sure that the Berryessa School District supports quality library programs.