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Librarians urge Springfield Public Schools board to reverse proposed library-staffing cuts
Summary
High-school librarians and retired library leaders told the Springfield Public Schools board that proposed cuts to the district's library services and elimination of the library services manager would reduce student support and undermine years of district investment.
Librarians from Springfield Public Schools pleaded with the school board on Tuesday to reconsider proposed cuts that would redistribute full-time equivalent (FTE) positions at high school libraries and eliminate the district's Library Services manager position.
At issue are staffing reductions announced by district administration in November that district librarians said would reduce high school library staffing "to the bare minimum," impairing services such as Chromebook support, research instruction and curated collections that librarians say support student achievement.
Susan Mann, a full-time librarian at Parkview High School, told the board, "When you are a school librarian, every student in the school is your student," and described librarians' day-to-day role assisting students with technology, curriculum and individual needs. Heather Phan, also a Parkview librarian, cited academic research and read from a 2023 paper by Dr. Renee Burris concluding, "school library programs with full time certified highly qualified school librarians have a positive impact on student achievement." Sarah Gugliotta, a librarian at Central High School, listed daily duties including device deployment, database instruction, voter registration assistance and dozens of school committees, saying, "our high school libraries are the central hubs and hearts of our schools where all students can feel safe and welcome." Tatiana Stout of Hillcrest High School said cuts "will directly affect our ability to give each student more," and retired librarian and coordinator Angela Castile warned that eliminating the library services manager would remove centralized procurement, professional learning and vendor oversight the district has used for decades.
District leaders repeatedly told the board they are balancing federal relief dollars that are expiring and broader budget pressures. Superintendent Dr. Lathan acknowledged the need for difficult decisions, saying the administration has been planning for budget changes since 2021 and will continue to share information as the process proceeds.
No formal board vote to change library staffing was recorded during the meeting. Several board members expressed appreciation for librarians' testimony. Board member Mahad Makani and others encouraged affected employees to engage with administration about alternatives and resources the district is offering as part of the budget process.
The librarians requested that the board study the personnel plan and seek alternatives to the proposed redistribution of FTE and the dissolution of the library services office. They emphasized that the Library Services manager role, created in 1985, coordinates services for the district's 47 libraries and supports purchasing, IT integration and professional learning.
The public comments came during the board's designated public-comment period. The meeting also included routine votes on the agenda and consent items; those approvals did not include a final decision to implement the proposed library-staffing reductions.
The librarians said they will continue outreach to board members and state representatives and urged the district to preserve certified, full-time library staff in order to sustain reading initiatives and support for students with limited home internet or technology.
