Another group heard from

Librarians across North America, especially school librarians know that they are an endangered profession. Libraries are being closed and librarians fired, or, in the case of school librarians, sometimes being taken out of the library and transferred to classrooms. The library associations have taken on the challenge of fighting to preserve libraries and librarians. Those of us in the profession know that a library cannot be replaced by a kiosk nor a librarian by a volunteer without diminishing the experience children have with books and library services. Another group that supports libraries is the people who write and illustrate children's books and their organization the Society for Children's Writers and Illustrators (www.scbwi.org) In an eloquent statement about the importance of librarians, their reprentative, Lin Oliver, writes about the importance of libraries and librarians. Be sure to read her piece, not only for its arguments, but also for the list of supporting links she suggests. On a local level, children's librarians don't always appreciate the support they can get from children's authors and illustrators. Many cities and some smaller communities have groups of writers and illustrators who are often willing to visit the library and give programs for children and their parents. There's nothing like a real, live author or illustrator to rouse childen's enthusiasm for books and reading. And when that spirit is aroused, their parents and other adults in the community will be more eager to fight to support libraries. One reason why librarians are sometimes considered nonessential is that they work quietly and often invisibly within schools and libraries. It's time to rally supporters to become more visible and to let community leaders know that supporting libraries is a way of supporting the growth and prosperity of communities as they move into the future. We need well-educated and well-read citizens to make our communities strong.