School librarians are vital

In response to “I couldn’t believe it: Author among librarians cut” (April 13):

Hey, I have a great idea for the Spokane Public Schools superintendent and board about their plan to eliminate every librarian job in the district. Recreation and sportsmanship are important, but let’s start with eliminating football coaches first. After all, they come in contact with only a few boys banging their heads together, mostly for the boys’ fathers’ enjoyment. They don’t deal with all children, the way the librarians do.

Next eliminate the P.E. teachers. The students’ P.E. experience could “revolve around their classroom teacher,” like the superintendent’s idea that “The students’ experience in the library will revolve around their classroom teacher… “

Whom are we kidding? Librarians teach thought and communication skills that students desperately need in this rapidly changing environment. As the Librarian Stephanie Oakes is quoted “… the presence of professional librarians promotes higher achievement, higher reading scores, better technology skills, greater readiness for college and careers.”

Libraries offer all children the world. And librarians can imbue children with the pure joy of reading. What better skill or gift could there be?

Consuelo Larrabee

Spokane