Budget Cuts May Cause Libraries to Close
Angelica Martinez-Gamboa
October 8, 2009
Filed under News
“I love MTHS” says Mrs. Klein, the head librarian at Monterey Trail High School, as Voices from the Trail discussed with her the budget cuts that soon could be affecting the library. It has been proposed by the board of education that the libraries of our district, including that of Monterey Trail High School, be shut down to save money. These budget cuts, she claimed, would have a devastating effect on the student population of Monterey Trail High School. Ms. Klein expressed her fears on the issue – those students who don’t have access to computers and other materials at home would be negatively impacted if the libraries were to close. She says that she is trying to put out good information on school libraries importance and how they are essential to a school success, in hopes that the libraries will not be closed. Numerous parents, students, and teachers spoke out on the importance of our library and the benefits in brings to the students of MTHS at a board meeting that was held to bring to light this important issue and discuss future plans for the library. Although the
final decision will soon be made by the district and it will be dependant on the amount of money available.
The decision to close the library at MTHS will not only affect the librarians, but the students, teachers, counselors, and administrators as well. School libraries are designed specifically to help students with their school work, and therefore removing them could impact the quality of work produced by students. These students, contrary to popular belief, actually care about their education. Numerous amounts of feedback have been received by the librarians, from the students who claim that they desperately need our library. Therefore, we must take advantage of the library while it is still possible – you might not be aware of it, but the library is, and has always been, an enormous contribution to the personal success of the students at Monterey Trail High School.
Studies have shown that good libraries are vital for student success and test scores, “I feel that libraries are extremely
important to literacy and information for research and
school projects”, says Mrs. Klein.
Loading ...
There is no doubt whatsoever that the libraries closing would be a travesty that affects not only MTHS, but also Edward Harris and every other school in the district. On the issue of money, would it be possible to hold fundraisers, such as those that are used to raise field trip money, for the sake of the libraries?
[Reply]
It is a bad idea to close a library to TWO schools (MTHS and EHMS). It will not only make it harder for students to check out books but it will also leave the library unattended to. What is the point of closing the library only to have an emtpy building that no one will be using? Something must be done.
[Reply]