By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Tucson Unified School District has cut the number of librarians by nearly 90% in the last two decades.
Read more New video, 911 calls detail Scottsdale police shooting near Old Town
Now librarians are lobbying the school board for more funding.
For students like Kylie Hipp at Catalina High, the library is more than a place to check out books.
“It’s so nice being in here because it’s so quiet too. So there wasn’t any distractions from like work or anything, so it was super easy to work and just concentrate,” Hipp said.
Library Media Specialist Karin Bernal said that when students engage the library, everything else improves.
“Then their reading rates are going to go up naturally, and we’re going to see better test scores,” Bernal said.
Librarians say professional staff matters
Without a professional librarian, Bernal said the library can’t be effective.
“It’s kind of like a ship with a crew but no captain,” Bernal said.
There are only 11 certified librarians serving 88 district schools.
Judi Moreillon retired from the district in 2003 when her position was cut. She said there’s no substitute for certified librarians.
“Something very important is missing. And the children suffer. The children suffer when there’s no professional librarian,” Moreillon said.
District policy vs. practice
The TUSD governing board policy states, “The school library program will be offered to all students in grades pre-K through 12…and will include the services of a professional, certified teacher-librarian.”
The District said the current budget includes a certified librarian at most of the District’s high schools. All other schools use library assistants. The District said this board-approved formula has been in use for years.
Read more Rep. Biggs votes against limiting Trump’s war powers in Iran
“We would just love to see the District go back to supporting libraries with a budget,” Bernal said.
Override funds could help
Voters passed a District override in November. That money could be used to fund library programs.
Librarians are taking their case back to the board.
“That’s why we’re back. We want to ask the District to stay accountable to what they said they would do with those funds,” Moreillon said.
The Tucson USD Governing Board may discuss the library funding issue again on Tuesday.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ actor James Handy killed at 81, police say