Lack of funds hurts elementary schools

A lesson in reality reaches elementary school libraries across the Hoosier heartland; funding often affects children's intellectual growth and per pupil prosperity.\nAccess to library books and technology resources is often the reason many schools succeed and some communities thwart violence, drug dependence and the ill-effects of economic poverty. From after-school literacy programs -- both adolescent and adult -- to computer and DVD technology, elementary school libraries often act in constant combat with the possible circumstances a community could become: law abiding versus law breaking, perceptually aware versus intolerant of change, rational thinking versus ignorant thoughts.\nAccording to an IU Media Relations press release, Indiana elementary school libraries need adequate funding for books and services to ensure student success in America's "No Child Left Behind" elementary school classroom. Research provided by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at IU reported a link between the "quality" of library books, periodicals and other academic resources and students' "literacy" and "performance" on achievement tests, according to the press release.\nIn the 14 elementary schools throughout Monroe County, libraries function as media centers and librarians act the role of media specialist. Linda Black, principal of Arlington Elementary School, said most people would agree that elementary school libraries could always benefit from additional funding.\n"We have an annual budget provided by the school district; part of the budget is for library books," Black said. "Based on the number of students served in each school, a per-student amount of money is allocated to the library through the (Monroe County Community School Corporation). For the 2004 budget allocation, $8.72 per student was given to each library."\nWith the addition of more books, more modern technologies and trained resource staff, Bloomington children might benefit from additional library school funding. Cathy Diersing, principal of Templeton elementary school, said MCCSC elementary school media centers offer students more than checked-out books.\n"It's not that we have trouble with funding; we have tremendous difficulty with funding," Diersing said. "MCCSC has made media centers a priority by continuing to staff media centers. The funding issue is all schools deserve to have full-time media specialists; not all schools do. We do, and that is based on the size of the student population. Smaller schools have part-time staff only."\nThe Indiana General Assembly created and funded The School Library Printed Materials Grant program between 1997 and 2002, which appropriated $13 million for elementary school library purchases, according to the press release. Due to budgetary concerns and financial deficits, the state has partially funded and cut short the grant during the last two years, the release stated.\nAs the city of Bloomington and the state of Indiana tighten the strings on elementary school library funding, hundreds of young people suffer from not having the resources necessary to maximize the potential of each learning opportunity. Diersing said she wishes she had the funding to open the library after-hours so adults and students could benefit from after-school tutoring in reading, English and other subjects. The Arlington elementary school media center also serves as art gallery by displaying student artwork.\n"Our media center is an amazing place for children and students to spend time; it's a hub of activity in our building," Diersing said. "It's a place where we have both parents and community volunteers, as well as students who volunteer once a week. It's an amazing and powerful place."\nBesides being able to check-out library books free of charge, Black said the MCCSC also provides free academic books to students who receive free or reduced lunches. To help fund the Arlington Elementary School media center, Black said the Parent Teacher Organization, book fairs and campus community member financial gifts contribute to the purchase of hardback materials, the maintenance of periodical subscriptions and the pay of media center staff.\n"Having a bigger, better, library would be wonderful," Black said. "Seeing children with library books is a great thing; they like to go to the library to select new items each week."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.