Statewide census finds many Minnesota school libraries understaffed; report urges tighter use of school library aid

A statewide census of school libraries released to the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee found that 46% of K–12 schools do not have a licensed library media specialist and that nearly half of media centers report annual budgets under $5,000.

The finding comes from a 2024 census conducted by the seven multi-county, multi-type library systems and analyzed by Wilder Research. "The survey was completed in spring of 2024," said Anna Granias, a researcher at Wilder Research, summarizing the project and its representativeness. The census solicited responses from 1,528 of 1,777 eligible public and charter schools.

Why it matters: Licensed media specialists hold educator licenses issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and, the presenters said, provide specialized instruction, curriculum collaboration and professional development that supports student literacy and research skills. "We're asking that you make slight modifications to improve the integrity of the school library aid program and identify ways to support school and district leaders to build up their school library programs and hire licensed professionals," said Ashley Dress, school library consultant at the Southeast Library System.

Key findings from the census presented to the committee:

- 81% of responding schools reported having a library media center (LMC); 5% said they do not and 14% were unclear or did not answer.

- 46% of schools reported having no licensed media specialist at the LMC (not even part time). More than half of schools that reported a licensed specialist said that person worked less than full time.

- Nearly half of media centers across the state reported annual budgets under $5,000; the median reported budget was $5,000.

- Respondents cited district staffing decisions, lack of funding and difficulty finding qualified licensed media specialists as top reasons for gaps in staffing.

The census also examined how the 2023 state school library aid was used. In 2023, state statute directed an automatic distribution calculated at the greater of $16.11 per adjusted pupil unit or a floor amount ($40,000 for school districts, $20,000 for charter schools). "Of all respondents, 40% said they were unaware that these funds existed or had come to their school," Granias said. Of those who were aware, 49% said they were unsure how the funds affected the school library.

Many witnesses and school librarians described divergent local uses of the funds. Marie Hajdukovich, a district and secondary library media specialist in Stillwater Public Schools who said her current position was created with the new aid, described a local example of the funding’s impact: "Circulation has risen 50% in just 1 year. It is up about 125% from 2 years ago... we have added nearly 5,000 new books to our collections at the 3 secondary schools."

By contrast, Laura Jengris, formerly an elementary librarian in Waconia, described staff cuts and reduced library instruction after local decisions: "In Waconia, the students in the elementary schools are getting 1 trimester of those digital citizenship skills... taught by an art teacher with no media training."

Recommendations presented to the committee included aligning the distribution or reporting of school library aid with the statutory definition of a school library so funds are used to build or strengthen library programming and staffing, increasing supports for districts to hire licensed media specialists and support staff, and boosting professional development and pathways to licensure.

Committee members responded with concern and interest. Chair Bonnie Westlin, filling in as chair for the hearing, and other senators described the census as a baseline for legislative action on the Read Act’s literacy goals and on ensuring school library aid strengthens libraries rather than merely maintaining prior staffing levels.

The presenters made clear the census has limitations: respondents had varied familiarity with budgets and local reporting, and the survey did not provide respondents a standardized definition of an LMC before asking whether one existed. The Wilder analyst noted that had a statutory definition been provided to respondents, the share reporting an LMC might have been lower.

What’s next: Presenters asked the committee to consider modest statutory or administrative changes that would increase transparency about how school library aid is spent, encourage districts to consult library staff on use of funds, and sustain investments that would support a licensed media specialist in each media center.

Closing: The committee thanked presenters for the census and testimony and indicated the results will inform deliberations on school library funding and oversight this session.