If ever there were an issue all libraries can get together to support, surely it is the SKILLs Act. All of our society benefits when students enjoy good school library service. All of our libraries suffer when students are deprived of the learning opportunities their school library is uniquely able to offer. When school systems eliminate librarian positions, the burden for library service falls by default to the local public libraries. These libraries are not staffed to compensate for the lack of school librarians. They cannot carry out their primary mission and develop close collaborative relationships with teachers and spend considerable time in classrooms teaching with teachers. Students deprived of these library experiences are at a disadvantage when they enter college. Faculty expect them to be able to use their college library independently. They aren't prepared to do that and academic librarians have to do a good deal of remedial work.

The SKILLS Act serves our interests–but far more importantly, it serves the needs of our students in elementary, middle, and high schools.

I wrote to my senators and representative in July. I have not received a response from wither senator. But I did receive a letter form my representative. In her response she wrote, “As a mother, I understand the important role school libraries and librarians play in education.” But she hasn't demonstrated her understanding by cosponsoring H.R. 2864. In fact, H.R. 2864 has only one cosponsor. Time to act on behalf of the SKILLs Act!